Nestled in the arid lands of Weiyuan County, Gansu Province, the Huichuan Potato Research Station—founded in 1965—has spent 60 years transforming the humble potato into a powerhouse of agricultural prosperity. What began as a modest facility for preserving China’s first potato germplasm resources has evolved into a national leader in potato breeding, producing 50 high-yield, disease-resistant varieties that now dominate fields across northwest China and beyond.
Germplasm Conservation: Safeguarding the Future of Food Security
The station’s 2,200 global potato germplasm resources are meticulously cataloged and studied, with each variety monitored for 110 agronomic traits. “These genetic resources are as precious as pandas,” says Wen Guohong, a leading researcher at the station. Since 1969, the facility has maintained China’s original potato germplasm bank, ensuring the genetic diversity needed to breed resilient, high-performance varieties.
Breakthrough Varieties: The Rise of the “Longshu” Series
The station’s “Longshu” (陇薯) potato series has revolutionized farming in Gansu and neighboring provinces:
- Longshu 3: Golden-skinned, 20% starch content
- Longshu 8: Record-breaking 27.34% starch (ideal for industrial use)
- Longshu 7: Late blight-resistant, planted on 2 million hectares annually
Today, these varieties cover 6 million mu (400,000 hectares)—half of Gansu’s total potato acreage and one-third of northwest China’s. Over the past three years, Longshu 7 and Longshu 10 alone have expanded to 2.3 million hectares, boosting yields and farmer incomes.
From Lab to Field: A Model for Sustainable Farming
The station’s “Research Station + Enterprise + Farmer” model has democratized access to high-quality seeds:
- Free seed distribution and technical training for smallholders
- Guaranteed buyback agreements, ensuring 2,000 RMB ($280) more profit per mu than conventional farming
- 600 million virus-free mini-tubers produced annually in smart greenhouses
This system has turned Weiyuan County into China’s “Potato Seed Capital”, with local cooperatives like Zhao Yongji’s achieving 5,000+ lbs/acre yields and stable market prices.
Awards and Impact: Proof of Excellence
The station’s 15 major scientific awards, including two Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards and a National Agricultural Harvest Award, cement its reputation as Northwest China’s premier potato research hub.
Science as the Engine of Rural Prosperity
The Huichuan Potato Research Station proves that long-term investment in agricultural R&D pays off. By bridging the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and real-world farming, it has turned a staple crop into a high-value commodity, lifting rural economies and securing China’s food future. As climate change and population growth intensify, such farmer-centric, science-driven models will be key to global food resilience.
