Chinese scientists are making great efforts to set up a healthy rice ecosystem aiming to increase the quality and quantity of rice production without the excessive use of fertilizer.

Adding excessive nutrients to cropland can cause many environmental pollution problems, such as river eutrophication. Scientists all over the world are working hard to solve this problem.

The President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhai Huqu, says a healthy rice ecosystem will help reduce poverty and famine, protect the environment and promote social development.

Research results from the academy and other relevant departments will be published to balance the use of fertilizer in rice production.

(CRI October 19, 2004)