Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the successful development of a new high-quality, high-yield wheat variety, "Xinmai 26," by a research team led by Jiang Zhikai, which aims to reduce reliance on imported wheat and meet the growing demand for strong gluten wheat in China [1][10]. Group 1: Wheat Breeding Innovation - Jiang Zhikai and his team have developed "Xinmai 26," a wheat variety that combines superior gluten quality with high yield, addressing the historical challenge of balancing quality and productivity in Chinese wheat breeding [1][10]. - The breeding process took over a decade, involving extensive research and innovative methods to create a wheat variety that surpasses imported strong gluten wheat varieties like "Jiamai 2" and "Meimai DNS" [1][10][12]. Group 2: Market Demand and Supply Chain Risks - The demand for high-protein, strong gluten wheat has surged due to changing consumer preferences and rising living standards, leading to a reliance on imported wheat from countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia [3][4]. - The dependency on foreign wheat sources poses supply chain risks, prompting the research team to pursue domestic breeding solutions to ensure food security and resource independence [4][10]. Group 3: Achievements and Recognition - "Xinmai 18," another variety developed by the team, was recognized as a leading wheat variety in China from 2005 to 2008, showcasing the team's ability to produce high-quality wheat that meets national standards [5][10]. - "Xinmai 26" has become a flagship variety in the industry, achieving significant recognition and awards, including the first prize for scientific progress in Henan Province and a cumulative planting area exceeding 100 million mu, generating economic benefits of 12.6 billion yuan [13][16]. Group 4: Future Goals and Challenges - The team aims to continue advancing wheat quality by developing "super strong gluten" varieties that not only meet but exceed international standards, addressing the specific needs of the food processing industry [9][10]. - The breeding cycle for wheat is lengthy, often taking over a decade, and the pursuit of "super strong" traits may lead to challenges such as reduced yield or disease resistance, requiring resilience and innovation from the research team [11][12]. Group 5: Industry Impact and Applications - The "Xinmai" series of strong gluten wheat varieties has been widely adopted in the Huanghuaihai region, providing farmers with higher yields and better prices, thus enhancing their economic stability [14][15]. - The processed products from "Xinmai" wheat are being utilized in various high-end food applications, contributing to improved food quality and safety for consumers [15][16].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the agricultural strength of Henan province, emphasizing its role in ensuring food security and its contributions to national and international agricultural cooperation, particularly with ASEAN countries [1][6]. Group 1: Agricultural Development - Henan has established itself as a strong agricultural province, successfully ensuring local food supply while exporting high-quality agricultural products to the national market and ASEAN countries [1]. - The province has implemented high-standard farmland construction, resulting in significant improvements in crop yields, such as wheat production exceeding 1300 jin per mu [2]. - The innovative "investment, construction, operation, and management" model has been adopted to ensure sustainable management of agricultural resources, leading to 1.14 billion jin of summer grain production [2]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The province has made significant strides in agricultural technology, with a total agricultural machinery power of 1.1 million kilowatts, achieving full mechanization in wheat and corn production [3]. - The establishment of a crop germplasm resource protection center has strengthened the breeding capabilities, with Henan accounting for 40% of the national seed supply for wheat [3]. - The expected contribution rate of agricultural technology progress is projected to exceed 67% by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, with a stable coverage rate of quality seeds at 97% [3]. Group 3: Storage and Marketing Innovations - The grain storage system in Henan has transitioned to a smart era, with real-time temperature monitoring and low loss rates of 0.3%, significantly below national standards [4]. - The province has initiated a market support program for wheat, providing timely information to alleviate farmers' concerns about low prices [4][5]. - Agricultural public brands like "Yunong Youpin" and "Meiyu Grain and Oil" have been developed to enhance market access for local agricultural products [4][5]. Group 4: International Cooperation - Henan has a long-standing relationship with ASEAN, with agricultural cooperation expanding beyond product exchange to include technology sharing and joint construction of agricultural parks [6]. - In 2023, the province's agricultural exports to ASEAN reached $640 million, accounting for 30% of its total agricultural exports [6]. - The ongoing efforts aim to upgrade agricultural trade to a full industry chain, fostering a two-way trade channel between Henan and ASEAN [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of seed innovation and agricultural modernization in Henan province, highlighting the development of drought-resistant and high-yield wheat varieties to ensure food security and enhance agricultural productivity [3][4][14]. Group 1: Seed Innovation and Agricultural Development - The seed industry is crucial for agricultural prosperity, with Henan's seed breeding efforts aligning with market demands, leading to a national leadership in new variety development [3][6]. - The "Luoan" series of drought-resistant wheat varieties have shown significant yield potential, with average yields exceeding 500 kg per mu in drought-prone areas [4][14]. - The "Zhengmai 1860" variety has been recognized for its high yield and stability, maintaining production levels even with a 20% reduction in fertilizer use, thus supporting green agricultural practices [5][6]. Group 2: Modern Breeding Techniques - The National Biological Breeding Industry Innovation Center is implementing advanced breeding technologies, including smart greenhouses that accelerate the breeding process by simulating optimal growth conditions [10][12]. - AI-driven technologies are being utilized to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of phenotypic data collection, allowing for better selection of breeding materials [11][12]. - The province has initiated a collaborative model for seed innovation, involving multiple enterprises and research teams to expedite the application of scientific advancements in agriculture [13][14]. Group 3: Impact on Food Security - Henan's crop variety coverage exceeds 97%, contributing over 45% to grain yield increases, underscoring the province's commitment to food security through seed innovation [14]. - The article highlights the strategic importance of maintaining control over key crop varieties to ensure sustainable agricultural development and food safety in China [14].