Nanfan, the cradle of "Chinese seeds", breeds more than 70 percent of China's new seed varieties in its 268,000-mu (17,867-hectare) cultivation area.
Nanfan used to be a traditional breeding base in China. Every winter and spring, about 7,000 agricultural experts from over 800 scientific research institutes, universities, and enterprises across the country bring summer crops, such as rice, corn, and cotton, to Sanya, Lingshui, and Ledong in Hainan for breeding and cultivation purposes.
The cumulative planting area of hybrid rice bred in Nanfan has exceeded 300 million hectares. Every year, millions of kilograms of high-quality seeds are sent from the Nanfan Breeding Base to various parts of the country.
Nanfan has transformed itself from a simple breeding base into a seed innovation highland. Its industry has changed from simply breeding, to now involving the entire seed industry chain.
In May 2021, the Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory was established. In January 2023, the International Corn Technology Innovation and Achievement Transformation Center project was capped. Nanfan has also accelerated the construction of research infrastructure and key common platforms such as the National Wild Rice Germplasm Resource Nursery. Nanfan's technology innovation platform cluster for the seed industry is also gradually taking shape.
Only two years after its establishment, the Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory has developed rapidly. It now has 172,000 square meters of space, more than 7,200 sets of scientific research equipment, and 12 open sharing platforms and scientific research facilities.
By the end of last year, 114 seed enterprises and 939 agriculture enterprises settled in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City. Additionally, Nanfan is currently training 3,299 master's and doctoral students.
