A technical research program aimed at developing best hybrid rice variety for Indonesia jointly conducted by Indonesian and Chinese scientists was launched here on Wednesday with the effective research period set to due in 2013.

The launching of the research, that was apparently a translation of improving relations between the two countries, was conducted by representatives of Indonesia's agricultural ministry and China's well-regarded crop varieties development firm, Long Ping Hi Tech, witnessed by Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Zhang Qiyue at the ministry's premises.

Through such a program, Indonesia will send its agricultural scientists and officials to be trained in China, developing best training programs for Indonesian farmers in selecting the best hybrid rice variety that fits with the country's soil and natural condition.

The program was designed to be effective within three years starting from April this year, to last in 2013. China has sent its scientists to Indonesia since April this year as an advance, preparing the success of this program.

"Indonesia has been well regarded to have the world's best hybrid rice. Such a cooperation is good to assure the food security for the future generation. The future's food security depends on the researches we are conducting now. Such a cooperation needs to be developed further," Haryono, Director General at the Indonesian Agricultural Ministry's Research and Development section told Xinhua on the sidelines of the launching ceremony.

Meanwhile, citing two hybrid rice strains brought on the occasion, Long Ping President Director Chen Peng said that the two strains were developed in Long Ping research development, particularly designed for Indonesian natural terrain.

"These two strains featured higher yield, much higher than most on the Indonesian market, and better quality. They are the achievement of our plan to develop particular stains of rice for Indonesia," he said.

Indonesia and China are apparently two large countries most of whose populations consume rice. The joint cooperation in hybrid rice research program between scientists in both countries is highly expected to improve the average rice production in Indonesia, and will eventually help achieve a rice self-supplied level in Indonesia.

Most importantly, such a cooperation would pave the way for more cooperation in the agriculture section and improve the relationship between the two countries in general.

(Source: Xinhua)