China kicks off research for new type of rice

China launched a research and development plan for a new type of super rice, which is expected to yield at least 15 tons of rice per hectare, the People's Daily reported on Thursday.

In 2011, the country achieved a harvest of 13.9 tons per hectare in a trial planting in Longhui county, Hunan province, and is expected to improve its goal to 15 tons in 2020.

Hybrid rice is produced by cross-breeding different types of rice.

China launched the hybrid rice research program in 1996, reaching the target unit yields of 10.5 tons a hectare in 2000 and of 12 tons a hectare in 2004, setting world records both times.

China plants about 29 million hectares of rice every year, with an average output of 6.3 tons a hectare.