There is a Chinese slang describing people ignorant of reality as 'eating rice without knowing the price'. But recently even the most price-ignorant Hong Konger should have noticed its soaring price, which has prompted people to snap up bags of rice at supermarkets. Rice is a staple food of many Asian populations. However, the rice yield has reached its limit. Global warming also makes matters worse. Last summer saw poor rice harvests in many Chinese provinces because a rise by two degrees Celsius in average temperatures had triggered an outbreak of pests and diseases. The recent panic buying of rice highlights the importance of a stable rice supply to social stability and people's well-being.
China is a major rice-producing nation. In the face of a rice shortage, it is imperative that Chinese scientists find ways to improve rice species, increase yield, and enhance nutritive value. Researchers from CUHK have been making contributions in these areas and recently, the University obtained the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China to set up the State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology (CUHK).
Strategically located in Hong Kong, the laboratory will tap Hong Kong's advantages in global networking, international human resources and modern management, as well as the mainland's strengths in economy, research capacity and natural resources. By combining the traditional wisdom of farmers and breeders, and modern biotechnology, its researchers will up-scale China's agricultural technology, increase agricultural productivity, and groom talent.
The laboratory is directed by Prof. Samuel Sun Sai-ming, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a pioneer in the application of biotechnology to crop improvement. Taking pride in the establishment of the laboratory, Prof. Sun said, 'This is an eloquent testimony to the fact that our efforts and achievements in agrobiotechnology are acknowledged and recognized by the country. By teaming up with the best agricultural university in China, we can complement each other and maximize our respective strengths for the best results.'
CUHK and China Agricultural University (CAU), both leaders in agrobiotechnology, have developed a long cooperative relationship, thereby laying a solid cornerstone for the laboratory. It will carry out research in collaboration with CAU on the development of molecular biotechnology, increase of rice yield, and improvement of the nutritive value of rice and crop resistance.
Housed in the complex comprising the Science Centre and the Centralized Science Laboratories Building, the State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology (CUHK) is the second state key laboratory at the University following the establishment of the State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China (CUHK) in 2006.