Qingyuan in northern Guangdong is gaining attention for how seed innovation is reshaping its agricultural economy, as Guangdong continues to preserve and enhance its agricultural seed resources.
Statistics show that more than 368,000 agricultural germplasm samples have been collected across Guangdong, supporting the growth of high-value local industries such as Qingyuan chicken and Jiangmen's Xinhui chenpi (dried tangerine peel).
In Qingyuan, five flagship products—Qingyuan chicken, Yingde black tea, Xiniu bamboo shoots, Simiao rice, and Lianzhou choy sum—have been developed around improved varieties and standardized production. Qingyuan chicken, a nationally protected geographical indication product, now benefits from modern breeding systems and integrated supply chains. By 2025, its output reached 161 million birds, with the full industry chain valued at 13.74 billion yuan.
Tea and crop breeding have also advanced, with Yingde black tea collections exceeding 100 plant resources and new rice and choy sum varieties improving yield and quality. These advances demonstrate how seed innovation is transforming traditional agriculture into higher-value, more resilient industries, providing a practical model for rural development in Guangdong.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | Nanfang Rural Newspaper
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
