'Father of rice': Yuan Longping, who developed the first hybrid rice strains, dies at 91

Yuan Longping, China’s agronomist who is known to boost the rice harvests in the country during the Cultural Revolution era with hybrid varieties and is also recognised as the ‘father of hybrid rice’ has passed away at the age of 91 on May 22, reported news agency Xinhua. Reportedly, he died in a hospital in Changsha, the capital city of central Hunan Province around 1 PM on Saturday (local time). However, the report did not specify the illness that Longping succumbed to. He was also among the first batch in 2019 of “Republic Medal” recipients, the highest order of honour in China. Longping cultivated the world’s first high-yielding hybrid rice strain in 1973, eventually, it grew into a large scale production in China as well as other nations to raise output. As per the report, it was his research that “pulled countless people out of hunger” as food security and self-supply efficiency remains China’s communist regime’s topmost priority. Longping was also the honorary chairman of Shenzhen-listed Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co. which is a seed maker controlled by Chinese conglomerate CITIC Group. Condolences pour in for Longping and his family Soon after the news was reported by Xinhua, condolences started pouring for Longping and his family on social media. Chinese Foreign Minister spokesperson Lijian Zhao also posted a heartfelt message for ‘father of rice’ and hailed his contribution to fighting hunger in the country. Zhao said “rest in peace” and shared an image of the agronomist who was born in 1930. The image also showed the famous and most recalled lines by Longping that said, “Everyone in the world should have enough eat.” My condolences to the family of #China's famous scientist #YuanLongping, who passed away today at the age of 91. He is Father of #HybridRice in China. He helped pull countless people out of hunger. RIP! pic.twitter.com/pPJvr2ewK1 — Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) May 22, 2021 R.I.P.🕯🕯🕯Mr. Yuan Longping, known as the “father of hybrid rice”, contributed greatly to food security in China and other developing countries. He will forever be remembered. pic.twitter.com/VTOEJRa9Ec — Chinese Mission to UN (@Chinamission2un) May 22, 2021 #袁隆平 #YuanLongping A Chinese agronomist ，developed the first hybrid rice varieties 🌾 in the 1970s. 🕯🕯🕯 pic.twitter.com/X1aVWA6Z4G — Jiaqi Shi (@Jiaqi_Shih) May 22, 2021 RIP. My timeline is filled with stories and messages of love for Yuan Longping. It is really touching to see people like this recognized and celebrated. https://t.co/Aj7i39qt0j — Daniel Dumbrill (@DanielDumbrill) May 22, 2021 While his high-yielding hybrid strain developing technique was used across the globe, in the following four decades after 1973, the ‘father of rice’ continued to research and upgrade hybrid rice. As per reports, the research has reached its third generation with Longping conducting a study in a seed breeding base in Hainan. In China, reportedly rice is the staple for the majority of the 1.4 billion population and reportedly the planting area of hybrid rice has exceeded 16 million hectares, which helps food supply to 80 million people in a year. IMAGE: @Jiaqi_Shih/Twitter

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'Father of rice': Yuan Longping, who developed the first hybrid rice strains, dies at 91

Yuan Longping, an agronomist who helped the rice harvests in the country during China’s Cultural Revolution era with hybrid varieties has passed away on May 22.

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