The project signing and launching ceremony of the Sanya Mutation Breeding Innovation Center is held in Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City on July 15. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

A total of 48 enterprises have settled in Sanya International Seed Industry Science and Technology Innovation Center to help build it into a new national seed scientific innovation hub.

On July 15, Hainan University Sanya Nanfan Research Institute signed a cooperation agreement with Sanya Mingyao Germplasm Innovation Technology at the project signing and launch ceremony of Sanya Mutation Breeding Innovation Center.

To achieve the goals of new crop varieties innovation, as well as quality and efficiency improvement, both parties will make use of the advantages of Sanya seed industry's scientific research institutions, platforms, and talents to carry out the breeding work of living plants and seed radiation mutation. In addition, the development of the Hainan Nanfan Mutation Breeding Key Laboratory is being planned.

The Sanya Mutation Breeding Innovation Center was originated by professor Zhai Huqu, former president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and received 20 million yuan ($3 million) in investment from Sanya Mingyao Germplasm Innovation Technology. With the research results of many scientists, the world's first integrated electron accelerator mutation breeding equipment will be put into operation by October.

Liu Zuokai, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, said that the Sanya Mutation Breeding Innovation Center will attract relevant enterprises to gather in Sanya, as well as provide technical and talent support for the construction of Nanfan Silicon Valley.