Russian agricultural scholars are introduced to an oat product during the China-Russia Seminar on Agricultural Science and Winter Rye Industry Development, which opened on June 10. [Photo/Jilin Daily]

From June 10 to 12, Baicheng in Northeast China's Jilin province hosted the China-Russia Seminar on Agricultural Science and Winter Rye Industry Development, bringing together leading experts to explore new frontiers in cold-region agriculture. The event helped to deepen collaboration between Jilin and partners in Russia and Kazakhstan, particularly in characteristic crop cultivation and trade.

Presided over by Ren Changzhong, honorary president of the Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the seminar highlighted the region's transformation from traditional farming to technology-driven, sustainable agriculture.

This partnership has resulted in the winter rye variety BK01, jointly developed by Chinese and Russian researchers. Already promoted across Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Liaoning, BK01 stands out for its resilience and commercial promise.

A representative from the Russian Academy of Sciences emphasized that BK01's exceptional cold resistance overcomes a long-standing barrier in northern China's agriculture – enabling winter survival and dual-purpose use for both grain and feed.

Guo Laichun, president of the Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said he hoped for continued cooperation with Russia in breeding, cultivation, and processing of specialty crops such as oats, rye, buckwheat, and forage.

Chinese and Russian researchers taste oat noodles during the field visit after the seminar. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The seminar concluded with the signing of a cooperation framework agreement between Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Northeast Agricultural Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a visit to an oat and rye cultivation demonstration site on saline-alkali soil, and discussions on rye's role in improving soil conditions.