Though it is the progenitor of hybrid rice, China is losing the creation in global agricultural markets because it has not secured intellectual property (IP) patent protection in foreign countries, according to industry insiders.
A huge breakthrough in agriculture originating in China in the 1970s, hybrid rice is popular for its high yield.
It has also helped save millions from starvation worldwide.
Yet due to poor awareness, few developers of new varieties of hybrid rice have applied for intellectual property protection in foreign countries, even as trade in hybrid rice increases, according to Wan Yizhen, director general of the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center's IP department.
Hybrid seeds are traded to countries including India, Vietnam and the Philippines, which "have a similar environment to South China, so most Chinese hybrid rice strains can be cultivated there without need for improvement", Wan said.
If companies or individuals in importing countries have applied for intellectual property rights on those introduced hybrid rice varieties, "Chinese traders faces a high risk of violating intellectual property rights on strains created in China", Wan explained.
Yuan Longping, the agrarian scientist honored as the father of hybrid rice, also expressed concern, noting that Chinese rice hybrids need better intellectual property protection when exported.
"Hybrid rice can feed the world and many countries are making great efforts to develop it," Yuan noted. "So in addition to creating new rice strains, IP protection is also important for China to keep its strong market competitiveness."
Yet the applications for protection of hybrid rice varieties by foreign firms and individuals in China are on the rise.
The Ministry of Agriculture had received about 450 applications from foreign companies and individuals by May, 2010, Xinhua reported.
As well, some Chinese hybrid rice breeds have been exported through illegal channels.
Li Chengquan, the honorary president of the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said the lost control of varieties is mostly due to a lack of awareness and deficiencies in related laws.
"Some companies merely pursue the money and ignore IP protection," Li said. "They sell the seeds of some valuable hybrid rice breeds in foreign countries, an act prohibited under current policies."
"Border control also needs improvement," she said. "Most border inspectors lack knowledge on hybrid rice. Without the help of specialists, it is hard for them to find breeds that are illegal to export."
Severer punishment is also a way to stop the loss, she added.
Better protection for hybrid rice will encourage scientists to create more high-yield breeds and make a bigger contribution to stopping hunger, experts said.
(Source:China Daily)
