Following the Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, known as Zhōngqiū Jié or Moon Festival, 66 scientists from across the globe gathered in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China, this September for the Annual HarvestPlus-China Meeting.

HarvestPlus China, which is coordinated through the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, is developing and distributing high micronutrient and locally-adapted varieties of rice, wheat, maize, and sweet potato in the hope of improving the lives of farming families throughout China.

Prior to the meeting, participants attended a Maize Field Day organized by HarvestPlus-China. The field trip educated participants about the high vitamin A maize distributed by HarvestPlus-China. The vitamin A in the maize gives the crop its unique orange color. Consuming adequate levels of vitamin A rich foods can significantly reduce maternal and child mortality in areas with a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency.

The maize was tested by HarvestPlus-China for the past two years and will offer farmers the first high yielding, vitamin A maize specifically adapted to their needs. HarvestPlus-China will continue to work with local farmers to promote adoption of this nutritious maize variety.

A Video on HarvestPlus China