In Chongqing Municipality, Southwest China, a research institute dedicated to potato biology showcases flourishing green potato seedlings under the care of Vadim Khassanov, a professor from S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, and the team at Southwest University. This collaboration focuses on potato variety breeding and achieving higher yields. The Belt and Road international innovation institute for the potato industry, established in November 2021 by Southwest University and the CIP (International Potato Center) - China Center for Asia Pacific, along with over 10 partner countries, marks a milestone in this endeavor.
Khassanov notes the global prominence of China in potato production and the importance of potatoes in Kazakhstan, commending the research capabilities of Southwest University. Lyu Dianqiu, dean of the College of Agronomy and Biotechnology at Southwest University, reports that the collaboration has led to the development of six new potato varieties, including "Red Rose," and a rapid virus detection kit, resulting in a yield increase of over 30 percent over local strains. These developments contribute to a "Chinese solution" for the potato industry in Belt and Road partner countries.
Source: en.people.cn