Tang Renjian published a signed article: Go All out to promote the revitalization of seed industry

We will spare no effort to promote the revitalization of the seed industry

Director of the Central Agriculture Office, Secretary of the Party Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Minister Tang Renjian

The CPC Central Committee and The State Council attach great importance to the revitalization of seed industry.  It is necessary to elevate provenance security to a strategic level related to national security, concentrate on solving problems, strengthening weak links, strengthening advantages, and controlling risks, so as to realize self-reliant and self-controlled provenance in science and technology of the seed industry. Premier Li Keqiang called for strengthening the protection and utilization of germplasm resources and the breeding and promotion of superior varieties. Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has repeatedly studied the revitalization of the seed industry and made relevant arrangements. Today, a teleconference was held to promote the revitalization of the national seed industry, marking the transformation of the revitalization of the seed industry from research and planning to comprehensive implementation. Agricultural and rural departments at all levels should, in accordance with the deployment requirements of the Action Plan, make thorough arrangements, strengthen measures and take quick actions to push forward the revitalization of the seed industry.

First, in combination with the actual outstanding characteristics, earnestly focus on the implementation of the plan

The Central government is about to issue the "Action Plan", which is an important arrangement for the development of seed industry again after the "Decision on Strengthening Seed Work" issued in 1962. It is a milestone event in the development history of Chinese seed industry. The Plan of Action defines the general goal of achieving scientific and technological self-reliance of the seed industry and independent and controllable seed sources, and puts forward a package arrangement of guiding principles, basic principles, key tasks and safeguard measures for the revitalization of the seed industry. It provides a roadmap and task book for the revitalization of the seed industry and the transformation of China from a big seed industry country into a strong one.  All provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central government) should promptly formulate detailed implementation plans in light of their actual conditions.

Our agricultural ecology has various types and rich species types. Some areas have large germplasm resources and strong research and development capacity; some are large seed production provinces or large seed utilization provinces; some are dominated by bulk crops; some are livestock, poultry and aquatic products dominant. To formulate the implementation plan, first of all, we should make clear the development status of the local seed industry, resource factors, which have the foundation and advantages, which have the demand and potential, clarify the development orientation of the local seed industry, identify the main direction and key areas, and the plan should conform to the reality and reflect the characteristics. We should fully listen to and absorb the opinions and suggestions of relevant departments, research institutes, enterprises and farmers, follow the law of breeding innovation, and ensure that the program can be operated and put into practice. We should closely follow the needs and advantages of agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery development, rationally plan the distribution of industrial areas, and promote the modernization of agriculture and rural development plan. We should not be greedy, redundant, and blindly build a "seed capital" or a "Silicon Valley" out of reality.

Second, focus on the target task, pay close attention to the implementation of key work

The Action Plan defines specific goals and tasks for different species and stages, and proposes five major actions to protect and utilize germplasm resources, tackle key problems in innovation, support enterprises, upgrade bases, and purify markets. Agricultural and rural departments at all local levels should promptly implement them.

First, we should comprehensively strengthen the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. At present, the progress of germplasm resources census is generally in line with expectations, but due to the impact of the epidemic situation and other factors, the progress of germplasm resources census is slow in some areas. To target the task, further increase resources census efforts, this year to complete the final 707 county census collection task, livestock and poultry to complete all administrative villages surface census, aquatic products to county as a unit to find out the basic situation, timely protection of newly discovered resources, overall layout of germplasm resources bank nursery (farm area) construction, solid germplasm resources base revitalization of the seed industry.

Second, we should vigorously promote seed industry innovation. The state will launch research on key and core provenance technologies, implement major biological breeding projects, and promote industrial application in an orderly manner. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs strengthened coordination between the ministry and the province to promote joint research on breeding. Major bulk varieties were mainly produced by the state with cooperation at the provincial level, and locally featured varieties were produced by the province with overall planning by the state. A new round of genetic improvement plans for livestock and poultry were implemented successfully. Local governments should set up a number of breeding consortiums, promote cooperation between science and enterprise, promote the aggregation of factors, technology integration and mechanism innovation, promote the exchange and sharing of germplasm resources, data and information, personnel and technology, and speed up the breakthrough of a number of major new varieties.

Third, we should support the development of advantageous seed enterprises. Comprehensively study and sort out the formation of seed industry enterprises, draw out the list of key leading enterprises by type, strengthen specific guidance and key support, and promote close connection between leading seed industry enterprises and scientific research institutes, financial institutions and seed industry bases. It is necessary to take enterprises as the main body, integrate the allocation of capital, projects, talents, technology and other innovation factors, build a platform for large-scale technology integration and application, and establish a sound commercial breeding system. More advantageous enterprises should be allowed to take the lead in tackling key research tasks in the seed industry, and financial institutions should be encouraged to create mortgage loans for variety rights, land management rights, breeding facilities, machinery and equipment, so as to improve the accessibility and convenience of financing for enterprises. We should focus on cultivating a number of key seed industry leading enterprises with strong research and development ability, industrial driving force and international competitiveness, and develop a number of "specialized, specialized and innovative" enterprises with differentiated competitive advantages and strong professional service ability.

Fourth, improve the level of seed industry base construction. We will continue to develop breeding and seed production bases in southern Hainan, Gansu corn, and Sichuan rice, and start building a soybean seed base in Heilongjiang. We will build 100 regional bases for improving crop varieties and breeding, support the development of high-standard farmland, and improve supporting facilities and professional services. With a focus on hogs, dairy cows, beef cattle, mutton sheep, laying hens, broilers, and waterfowl, we will select and build a number of national core breeding farms, breeding stations and breeding bases, and support the building of national aquatic products supply and breeding bases. Local governments should give priority to ensuring the facilities and financing needs of national seed industry bases, improve the conditions of biosafety protection facilities, promote the purification of key animal diseases, and build a number of provincial-level seed breeding, production, seed supply and seedling cultivation bases to meet the development needs of local industries with special characteristics.

Fifth, we should crack down on infringement and other illegal acts. Not long ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Supreme People's Court made corresponding arrangements. Local governments should firmly promote special rectification of seed industry intellectual property rights protection, strengthen whole-chain and whole-process supervision, intensify case investigation and punishment, improve regional joint response and joint case investigation mechanism, promote the organic connection between agricultural administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, crack down on illegal behaviors such as licensing infringement and counterfeiting and sales, and strengthen supervision over illegal GMO cultivation. Make the wrongdoers pay a heavy price.

3. Fulfill principal responsibilities and strengthen action support

It is a long-term and systematic project to turn the seed industry around and accelerate the revitalization of the seed industry. We must adhere to the linkage between the top and the bottom, coordinate with all departments, accelerate the establishment and improvement of a seed industry policy support system with wider coverage and greater support, and strive to form a working situation of joint management and joint promotion.

First, we need to implement the requirement that the Party and government share responsibilities. Seed is the key to ensure food security. The Action plan proposes to incorporate the seed industry revitalization action into the food security responsibility system and the "food basket" mayoral responsibility system, and establish a working mechanism of unified deployment by the central government, overall coordination by departments, and implementation by local Party committees and governments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is pushing for tasks related to the revitalization of the seed industry to be included in the provisions of the food security responsibility system for local Party and government officials. Local governments should strengthen the organization and leadership, Party committees and governments together, the revitalization of the seed industry into the local Party committees and governments important supervision and assessment items, the formation of a work system at the level of implementation. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of the management team of seed industry at the grass-roots level. Those who have special institutions should be further strengthened, while those who do not should be clearly defined as responsible and responsible, improve facilities and equipment conditions, implement necessary operating funds, and have special forces to carry out the work of germplasm resource survey and protection, improved seed testing and demonstration, inspection and testing, law enforcement and supervision.

Second, we need to establish a mechanism for promoting work. The revitalization of seed industry involves multiple fields and sectors. The Action plan clearly proposes to establish an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism for the seed industry revitalization Action, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will set up a seed industry revitalization office. Local governments should also establish a mechanism for coordinating the work of various departments under the leadership of Party committees and governments. Agricultural and rural departments should take the lead and work closely with relevant functional departments to track progress in the implementation of scheduling, refine measures for planning approval, land use security, talent incentives, law enforcement and supervision, coordinate solutions to practical difficulties and problems, and urge and guide the deployment of action plans to advance effectively and orderly.

Third, we need to increase policy support. This year, the central government increased incentives and support for major seed-producing counties, and increased funds for the general survey and protection of germplasm resources and the measurement of production performance. The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Construction of the Modern Seed Industry Improvement Project, and the Agricultural Development Bank of China issued the policy of supporting the seed industry through financing with investment and loan linkage. The state will also launch major projects to tackle key agricultural core technologies and biological breeding. On the basis of implementing these policies, local governments should actively introduce more and stronger policies and measures in light of actual conditions, and provide sustained and stable financial support for the protection and development of local variety resources, the building of bases for improved seed varieties and breeding, the cultivation of enterprises, the promotion and application of improved seed varieties, and the relief of seed reserves. We will guide enterprises to increase investment in research and development through measures such as tax and fee reductions and loan interest discounts, and attract social and financial capital to participate. Chongqing, Fujian and other places are exploring post-research and development and promotion subsidy policies for major varieties, providing one-time subsidies for breakthrough green new varieties and varieties with outstanding promotion benefits. Other places should also actively explore this policy. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will study and promote post-development subsidy policies on the basis of summarizing local experience.

Fourth, we should do a good job in publicity and guidance. After the announcement of the Action Plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will conduct a comprehensive interpretation through press conferences and interviews with experts. Local governments should also strengthen publicity on the development of the seed industry in light of actual conditions, so that the public will pay more attention to and support the revitalization of the seed industry. We will strengthen public opinion tracking, analysis and judgment, respond to hot issues of public concern in a timely manner, and clarify false reports and online rumors in a timely manner. We should support bold innovation and exploration at the grassroots level, summarize and popularize typical experiences and examples, and create a good atmosphere for promoting the revitalization of the seed industry.

(Speech delivered at the National teleconference on Promoting seed industry Revitalization on August 27, 2021)