Recently, the Huaihua City Seed Industry Chain Task Force reported that in the first half of the year, the city's seed industry chain achieved a total output value of 6.14 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Enterprises above designated size generated a total output value of 1.451 billion yuan (up 12.2%), while industrial investment reached 540 million yuan (up 22.2%). 

This year, the city's seed production area reached 200,000 mu, yielding over 30 million kilograms of seeds; the seed production area accounts for 45% of the provincial total and one-tenth of the national total, further solidifying Huaihua's status as a major seed production hub.

Since the beginning of the year, Huaihua has vigorously advanced the development of the industry chain by utilizing "four lists" for precise guidance and "three working mechanisms" for closed-loop management. Regarding investment promotion, 18 projects were planned and packaged, and six projects—including the Jingzhou Hybrid Rice Seed Quality Improvement Project—were introduced with a total investment of 310 million yuan; another 12 projects are currently under negotiation. In terms of project construction, 12 key projects are subject to "weekly scheduling and monthly reporting”, with the Huaihua-Anjiang Modern Crop Molecular Design Breeding Industrial Park and the New Wufeng (Huitong County) Pig Breeding Project successfully breaking ground. Regarding the cultivation of enterprises above designated size, three new enterprises—such as Jingzhou Jingzhong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Xupu Daoxianyan Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.—were added in the first half of the year, and 16 operational difficulties faced by enterprises were identified and resolved. In scientific and technological innovation, the breeding of Xuefeng Black-bone Chicken won a provincial second-prize for seed industry innovation; a patent application was filed for "multi-gene molecular pyramiding breeding" technology; and Huaihua Tianling Company mastered the artificial incubation technology for the rare Onychostoma sima (white-scaled fish), successfully breeding over 100,000 fry.

Leveraging 16 seed breeding and innovation platforms, Huaihua has accelerated the commercialization of seed industry innovations, with a cumulative total of 52 and 97 varieties passing national and provincial certifications, respectively. Hunan Aopulong Company ranks 30th among China’s top 60 key seed industry enterprises; it manages over 30,000 mu of annual seed production acreage, generating more than 85 million yuan in additional annual income for farmers. Hunan Yunfeifeng Company’s "Yunwu No. 1" and "Yunwu No. 2" varieties have passed provincial mid-term trial acceptance. Huaihua Tianling Company has mastered the technology for the full artificial breeding of Xianghua carp, achieving an annual output of 20 million fry, and was selected as one of the "Top 10 Typical Cases" by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for 2025. Regional brands such as Qianyang Rock Sugar Oranges, Jingzhou Waxberries, and Xuefeng Black-bone Chickens continue to expand their market influence.

Moving forward, the city’s seed industry chain will target exceeding 250,000 mu in seed production acreage and surpassing 15 billion yuan in comprehensive output value during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. For 2026, the goal is to add at least five enterprises above the designated size and introduce over 18 seed industry projects. Efforts will focus on meticulously preparing for the 2026 Anjiang Hybrid Rice Conference to attract investment and boost brand influence; accelerating the substantive operation of sci-tech innovation platforms to facilitate the practical application of the achievements Academician Deng Xingwang’s team in third-generation hybrid rice seed production technology; and coordinating resource support to ensure the rapid landing, construction, commissioning, and effectiveness of seed industry projects.

(Translated by Le Guobin)