China News Service, Changsha, May 24 (Xiang Yipeng) "Mr. Yuan Longping's persistence and dedication will not be forgotten by future generations. With his endless curiosity and wisdom, he has demonstrated his selfless love for the motherland. The'father of hybrid rice' will always remain in the hearts of the Chinese people." On the 23rd, Shantyre Garcia, an American teacher at the School of Humanities and Foreign Languages, Hunan Agricultural University, said on WeChat.

　　"Republic Medal" winner Yuan Longping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, died in Changsha at 13:07 on May 22, 2021 at the age of 91 due to multiple organ failure.

Yuan Longping at work (data map).

Photo by Yang Huafeng

　　Yuan Longping is the pioneer of the research and development of hybrid rice in China, and the first scientist in the world to successfully utilize the heterosis of rice. He is known as the "father of hybrid rice."

The results of hybrid rice have been widely used throughout the country since 1976, which has greatly increased the yield and total yield of rice.

　　Yuan Longping has long been committed to promoting hybrid rice to the world.

At present, hybrid rice has been planted on a large scale in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States and other countries, with an annual planting area of ​​8 million hectares.

　　Teketai Vasi from Ethiopia is a post-doctoral and special research assistant at the Institute of Subtropical Agricultural Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The high-yield rice varieties developed by Yuan Longping have helped feed many people around the world. His death is a loss to China and the whole world." Teketai Vassi said: "Yuan Longping developed a kind of'weapon' that can be driven away. Famine provides food for the world. Although he is physically separated from us, his great works are immortal and will always be with us."

　　An expert from the College of Biological Science and Technology of Hunan Agricultural University, Yasser from Pakistan believes that Yuan Longping is a person who has devoted his life to rice research and brought revolutionary changes to agricultural production.

"At that time, no one expected his research breakthrough-the introduction of high-yield hybrid rice varieties will feed so many people in the next few decades. His research work is of great significance in terms of food security, because rice is the main source of more than half of the world's population. Staple food. In particular, he has played a huge role in China's process from food shortage to food security, and his efforts and research findings have been recognized and appreciated by the world."

　　“Mr. Yuan Longping’s most remarkable qualities are his perseverance and humility. His decades of research and extraordinary research findings can inspire millions of people.” Yasser said: “As a researcher, we can learn from his I learned a lot from the research journey and worked hard to continue his scientific research heritage. Thanks to Mr. Yuan for his inspiration and become a shining light for all of us."

　　"We have lost a world-famous'father of hybrid rice', and Yuan Longping will always live in our hearts." Hearing that Yuan Longping had passed away, Abu Karam Azad, an assistant researcher at the aforementioned Institute of Agricultural Ecology, was very sad.

"Academician Yuan Longping is a great person. He has a passion for rice breeding. In many countries, including my own country (Bangladesh), people who eat rice will always remember his great contribution."

　　According to Xia Tian (Chinese name), a postdoctoral researcher at Guangzhou University from Cameroon who started his business at the Houhu International Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperation Center in Changsha, Mr. Yuan Longping is a generous scientist who has devoted his life to scientific research and benefiting mankind.

"He brings the gospel to the world again and again, and we will never forget him." (End)