China and Pakistan cooperate on hybrid rice

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02:19

In Gulazi Town in Pakistan, there are plenty of paddy fields but not enough technology.

33-year-old Cai Jun is an expert in rice cultivation and has been here for more than two years.

He teaches the local farmers hands-on techniques in important cultivation nodes such as artificial pollination, and often spends five to six hours in the field teaching and demonstrating.

The traditional farming concept of relying solely on nature made it hard for locals to understand why Cai Jun’s demands were “harsh.”

However, the expert says it is important for them to change their perceptions and accept more scientific and modern planting techniques.

“Taking the simple impurity removal method as an example. The locals believe that rice growing in the fields is a gift from heaven and should not be removed. But as far as production is concerned, we must ensure quality.”

From sowing and transplanting, to field management and harvesting, real results convinced the local farmers, with rice output increasing by 80%.

After graduating from university, Cai has been promoting hybrid rice technology in other countries.

Before coming to Pakistan, he spent seven years in Bangladesh, where he says the time he spent there was meaningful.

“I think the most important thing of youth is happiness and sincerity in treating other people, as well as a career that will bring goodness to people across the world.”

For more than a decade, China's hybrid rice has taken root in Pakistan.

The two countries started cooperating in hybrid rice technology in 2002.

Since then, China has provided technical training for more than 100 Pakistani agrotechnicians and enhanced their understanding of China’s experience with agricultural development.

Cai Jun hopes more hybrid rice seedlings with a Chinese imprint will be produced in Pakistan, and gradually be accepted around the world.