On March 28th, Yichang Agricultural Science and Technology R&D Center, the first modern agricultural scientific research complex in Yichang, was started for building in the Electronic Information Industry Park in Yichang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone.

　　The project was invested by Yichang Academy of Agricultural Science with a total investment of 86 million yuan. Five functional labs equipped with 968 experimental equipment would be constructed，including a genetic engineering laboratory, a tissue culture laboratory, a microbiology laboratory, a dynamic analysis laboratory for agricultural inputs, and a quality analysis laboratory. After completion, crops with fine varieties will have a systematical breeding and screening so as to accelerate the extensive application of high-yield and disease-resistant new varieties suitable for local planting conditions. Besides, safe and efficient cultivation techniques and models will be explored to form a technical code for the production and quality of major crops. Moreover, an integrated technical procedure for processing, storage, and preservation of agricultural products will be developed to formulate the technical standards for pre-production, mid-production, and post-production. The R&D center will be expected to put into use formally in 2020.

　　Wang Youhai, dean of the Yichang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that while zooming in building agricultural science and technology R&D centers, Yichang would also focus on “two-wing development” to build the Zhijiang Experimental Station into an important fulcrum for national and provincial research of grain and oil crops, and build Dianjun Experiment Station into a research base for characteristic agriculture of Yichang, a demonstration base for modern agriculture, a training base for agricultural science education, a sightseeing base for leisure, and a display base for the integration of three industries so as to provide strong technical support for the modernization of agriculture and rural areas in Yichang. (Reporter Gao Shengnan, Correspondent Fang Suzhen, Lu Min)