Experts, scholars, and representatives from various universities, research institutes, and enterprises gathered at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) on April 14 to discuss eight research areas, including improvements to the productivity of medium and low-yield fields in the Yangtze River Basin, amelioration of acidic soils in the south, and targeted regulation of soil obstacles.

Professionals gather at HZAU to discuss eight research areas. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Yao Jianglin, vice president of HZAU, stated that a group of teachers from HZAU has long been engaged in research on how to improve medium and low-yield fields, providing intellectual support for rural vitalization and green development in central China. The university is willing to build an exchange platform and inject innovative energy into project advancement with an open and pragmatic cooperative attitude, he added.
Zhu Yongjin, director of the agricultural science and technology division, Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, said that the department will use Hubei as a hub to establish a large data platform for farmland in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, enabling data sharing, joint diagnosis of problems, and collaborative research among five provinces, contributing to the high-quality development of agriculture in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
After the opening ceremony, the 35 projects were divided into two groups, who will issue progress reports, followed by inquiries and feedback from the expert panel.