Beijing, China
March 3, 2010

With the coming of the spring planting of crops, the seed markets for hybrid rice and hybrid corn have been launched one by one in various places. According to the arrangement by the Ministry, the seed supply of the above two crops will be sufficient in most places with guaranteed quality. However, some places will see structural shortage of certain varieties. The supply of hybrid corn seed can total 1.57 billion kg, with 520 million kg of surplus. The seed for hybrid rice will amount to 284 million kg, with 34 million kg of surplus.

However, the production of seed has been affected by abnormal weather incidents, the hybrid rice seed in provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi and Hubei has witnessed decline in output, with possible shortage in the supply for some varieties. As a result, the Ministry have taken timely and effective measures with careful planning to organize agricultural departments and seed administration agencies at various levels to ensure the supply and quality safety of seed for spring planting.

First, information on the demand and supply should be matched up. Second, seed supply should be better adjusted. Third, quality management on seed should be enhanced. Fourth, market supervision should be strengthened. Fifth, technical service should be improved.

Website: http://www.agri.gov.cn

Published: March 4, 2010