March 21-23, 2024 — The 14th Huang-Huai-Hai Soybean Breeding Collaboration Network Conference was held in Dezhou City, Shandong Province. The conference was organized by the Soybean Professional Committee of the Chinese Crop Society and the Huang-Huai-Hai Soybean Breeding Collaboration Network, and co-organized by the Dezhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Dezhou Comprehensive Experimental Station of the National Soybean Industry Technology System. Shandong Yuwang Ecological Food Industry Co., Ltd. was invited to attend.
The Huang-Huai-Hai Soybean Breeding Collaboration Network (hereinafter referred to as the "Collaboration Network") is a non-profit scientific research collaboration organization voluntarily formed by soybean breeding researchers in the Huang-Huai-Hai region. Its mission is to promote resource sharing, improve soybean breeding efficiency, and continuously develop and promote new soybean varieties with high yield, superior quality, multiple resistance, and broad adaptability through the exchange and cooperation of materials, technologies, and information, thereby driving the development of the soybean industry in the Huang-Huai region. The conference brought together 252 expert representatives from 57 research institutions and 38 enterprises across 17 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions nationwide.
In his opening speech, Wu Cunxiang, Chief Scientist of the National Soybean Industry Technology System and a researcher at the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, stated that new forms of crop production present new requirements for soybean varieties and cultivation technologies. He emphasized the need to fully leverage the innovative capacity of seed enterprises as the main driving force, continuously update elite germplasm resources, breeding technologies, and organizational forms. Work should be guided by the demands of soybean product processing and production to carry out targeted efforts, promoting the development of the soybean industry in the Huang-Huai-Hai region and across China.
At the conference, Academician Gai Junyi delivered an academic report titled "Exploration and Genetic Improvement of Shade-Tolerant Soybean Resources." He stressed that for soybean-corn strip intercropping, it is essential to select corresponding shorter-stature corn varieties and deeply research scientific matching techniques. Only through scientific cultivation can the soybean industry be advanced. Liu Jun, Assistant General Manager of Yuwang Ecological, presented a report on "High-Quality Development Trends of China's Soybean and Soybean Protein Industry." Based on the deep processing industry, he proposed quality requirements for specialized soybeans and discussed the inevitable development trend of the plant-based meat industry. Meanwhile, Yuwang Ecological showcased its end-product series, "Jiwelang" vegetarian foods, during the conference tea break. The delicious and healthy options were highly praised by attendees.
On the afternoon of the 22nd, the conference featured the "Yuwang Cup" Youth Science and Technology Forum. Eleven young scientists and technicians engaged in academic exchanges focusing on soybean breeding theories and technologies, with awards presented for first, second, and third prizes, as well as excellence. The forum invited renowned domestic soybean experts for commentary, including Professor Gai Junyi, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; researchers Chang Ruzhen and Qiu Lijuan from the Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; researcher Zhou Xin'an from the Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; and researcher Zhang Mengchen from the Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. Academician Gai Junyi and Assistant General Manager Liu Jun presented awards to the winning young presenters.
As a vital platform for exchanging soybean breeding technologies, information, and materials in the Huang-Huai-Hai region, this conference significantly consolidated the area's soybean breeding research capabilities, injecting new technological momentum into the development of China's soybean industry. As a leading enterprise in China's soybean sector, Yuwang has been deeply engaged in the industry for over 40 years. Yuwang Ecological remains committed to its mission: "For ourselves, for saving the planet, driving change to let safe and trustworthy plant-based protein food bring healthy and long lives to humanity," and its vision: "To become the sustained global leader in the soybean protein industry, bringing natural non-GMO plant-based protein food into every household worldwide." It aims to lead the new development of China's natural soybean industry through whole-industry-chain innovation, exemplifying the leading role of the "Chinese Soybean King," and, together with peers nationwide dedicated to building the "Chinese Soybean" brand, contribute to revitalizing China's soybean industry.
