
“Because China helps them to develop hybrid rice, African countries will have a bright future tomorrow,” Yuan Longping told an interview with the press in English in the central Chinese city of Changsha on Oct. 12.
Yuan, a winner of China's national medal and also known as China’s “father of hybrid rice”, said he won’t retire; instead, he will feel depressed if he has nothing to do after retirement.

He has encouraged young generations to have noble ideals and make contributions to the society and the people.
Yuan turns 89 years old this year. He told the media that his doctor told him that he has little risk of dementia as he still has no problem adding two 2-digit numbers.
Since the 1980s, Yuan's team has offered training courses in Africa countries, providing a robust source of food to people in areas with a high risk of famine.

Yuan Longping accompanies visitors from Madagascar on a tour to the hybrid rice field in Changsha, Hunan province in 2008. (Photo/CRI online)
With assistance from Yuan's team, a hybrid crop variety produced a harvest of 10.8 tons per hectare in Madagascar this year, far exceeding the yield of local rice. Furthermore, the average yield of the hybrid rice planted in Kenya is four to five times greater than that of conventional varieties.
Related:
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses