China’s Ministry of Agriculture issued the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015) on Agricultural Science and Technology on December 21, 2011. The plan serves as the guideline for the country’s agricultural development in the next five years based on new demands and opportunities. Development targets and financial and legal commitments are also identified.
The key targets of the plan include the following: transformation of scientific research into high capacity; innovation of agricultural S&T management system; and improvement in the contribution of agricultural S&T progress.
The key tasks will be to emphasize S&T innovation, strengthen the modern agriculture technology system (e.g. GMO New Variety Development Mega Project); and promote innovation of S&T in the seed industry. In terms of breeding, China plans to discover a series of genes to develop a batch of elite varieties with high yields, better quality, multi-resistant, and with wide adaptability.
Read full document in Chinese at http://www.moa.gov.cn/ztzl/shierwu/hyfz/201112/t20111227_2444181.htm.
Source: ISSAAA