Chinese hybrid rice taking trip overseas

China's National Rice Research Institute is looking to tap into seed markets in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America as it promotes its hybrid rice varieties over the next five years.

Cheng Shihua, director general of the institute, said it will promote its hybrid rice seeds in emerging markets.

"We have conducted a number of tests on new rice varieties in rice paddies overseas. More often than not, our hybrids produce 30 percent higher yields than local varieties," he said.