On March 10, 2015 representatives from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KIZ, CAS) and the Songming County People’s government signed an investment agreement kicking off the development of the “Southwest Pig Molecular Breeding Base Project”. This new project will bring investment of some 30 million RMB to the area that will be used to construct a 76 acre research facility.

As a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the genetics of domesticated animals, personnel from KIZ will be using the facility to help farmers and livestock producers in the region improve their breeding methods as well as enhance food security and further agricultural modernization.

China is currently the larger consumer of pork products worldwide, and demand is only projected to increase over the next 30 years. This new project between KIZ and local, provincial and national government offices highlights the commitment of the institute and governmental officials to using scientific expertise to develop stable, sustainable, and profitable agricultural practices across the country.

(By Andrew Willden)