China’s ‘Father of Hybrid Rice’ Yuan Longping Dies at 91

Chinese agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, known as the “father of hybrid rice,” passed away at 91 at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

The report cited the hospital in the central city of Changsha where Yuan had been treated and other sources.

Yuan is renowned for developing the first hybrid rice strains that have helped lift countless people out of hunger, Xinhua reported. In China, rice is the staple for the majority of the population.

On Saturday morning, state-owned broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported his death but the news proved to be false. CGTN then retracted the report and apologized (link in Chinese) for being “careless.”

Related: Firm Named for Top Rice Scientist Pulls Variety of Seeds after Crop Failure

Contact reporter Guo Yingzhe (yingzheguo@caixin.com)

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