In a fine rain on the morning of June 11, Musa Darboe from Gambia respectfully offered a package of hybrid rice grown in Africa to the tomb of Yuan Longping, who was known as the "father of hybrid rice." 

"Professor Yuan, your seeds have taken root in Gambia. We are no longer hungry," said this Gambian farmer, whose life has been totally changed thanks to a small rice seed. 

In 2019, when he was hit by harsh realities in his farm, Musa encountered Huang Zhi and his expert team from Longping High-Tech, a Hunan agricultural company named after Yuan Longping. Barefooted and with trousers rolled up, they waded into the muddy paddies, demonstrating farming techniques. When the first rice transplanter began operation in his farm, Musa exclaimed, "It is unimaginable for our father's generation." 

Under the guidance of Huang and his team, Musa's farm has undergone a remarkable transformation in five years. The whole farming course has been mechanized, while the farm area expanded from 3 hectares to 100 hectares. The yield soared to about 7 tonnes per hectare, doubling even tripling the local average. 

In July 2024, Musa entrusted Hunan Daily journalists to bring a package of Gambian rice to Yuan Longping. 

This time, he traveled 12,000 kilometers from Gambia to Changsha, presenting the Africa-grown Chinese hybrid rice to Professor Yuan by himself, exploring the land where Yuan had devoted his life. 

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn. 

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday