A view of a lab under seed biotech firm DBN in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Li Xuanmin/GT

China is set to accelerate innovation within the seed industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) as the nation vowed to turn the tables in tackling challenges in agricultural technology and food security, the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs told a press briefing on Wednesday.

Currently China faces no immediate risk in respect to seed supply, with more than 95 percent of crop varieties selected and bred independently, and 100 percent of rice and wheat sustainability, according to the ministry.

However, China still lags behind some advanced economies in terms of agricultural technology innovation and commercial seed breeding.

As part of China's economic planning, efforts will be made to establish a national-level high quality seed resource bank, as well as some seed industry bases, covering crops, livestock and poultry and marine fishery, said Zeng Yande, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture.

In addressing technological innovation, efforts will be made to accelerate a new round of livestock and poultry genetic improvement plan and carry out joint research of breeding of rice, wheat, soybean, hog, cow and other varieties, he said.

China will also select and support a group of leading enterprises with strong innovation, support the deep integration of research and industrial production and draw more technology, talents and funds to the industry, he added.