(ECNS) -- Yuan Longping, widely known as China's "Father of Hybrid Rice," died of illness in Changsha on Saturday at the age of 91.
People from across China went to Changsha to offer their condolences and pay tribute to the "Father of Hybrid Rice."
The mourners have covered the steps leading to Yuan's office at Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center with flowers. Huang Dahui, who has devoted himself to promoting the hybrid rice, had worked with Yuan for more than 30 years.
Yuan's dream, benefiting people all over the world with hybrid rice, needs more agricultural workers' efforts, said Huang.
Popularizing hybrid rice abroad was not easy at first, but Yuan encouraged Huang and his collogues to face up the difficulties in a perseverant manner.
According to Huang, hybrid rice has been researched and popularized in dozens of countries and regions around the world.
Its planting area abroad has reached 8 million hectares so far. Although Yuan passed away, his hybrid rice career and scientific research spirit will be remembered, said Huang.
