Recently, with the introduction of new technology, remarkable results have been achieved in the transformation and upgrade of Yunnan’s flower industry. The province has become China’s largest research and development base for new flower varieties, with the number of new flower varietals out of Yunnan ranking first in the country. Staple fresh cut flower varieties developed under independent intellectual property rights account for more than 90 percent of the national total.

Yunnan province has made major breakthroughs in varietal breeding. The province has established a flower breeding system through the collaborative innovation of enterprises, academia and independent research institutes. The province’s flower germplasm repository, the largest of its kind in China in terms of both size and scope, has cultivated 580 new varieties of flowers under independent intellectual property rights. These include roses, carnations, gerberas, banana shrubs, rhododendrons, lilies and baby’s breath. Such developments have changed China’s reliance on the import of fresh cut flower varieties. Both introduced and self-cultivated varieties now cover more than 80 percent of flower growing areas in China. Yunnan, which produces fresh cut flowers accounting for more than 70 percent of the national total, has become the largest production and marketing centre of its kind in both China and Asia.

Yunnan also leads the country in terms of technical standards. By establishing a technological innovation system covering key links in the industry chain, the province has formulated 92 national, industrial and local standards concerning the flower industry, which ranks first in China. Its flower production technology, post-harvest processing technology and many other advances are at the forefront of industry peers across the country.

In particular, the Flower Research Institute at the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences has established a state-level mass innovation and entrepreneurship platform for overseas returnees, scientists and engineers, start-ups, university students and gardening practitioners. Land, capital investment, technology, personnel and other necessary production factors are available through this platform. Over the past two years, this mass innovation and entrepreneurship outlet has fostered the growth of 54 enterprises and entrepreneurial teams covering potted, fresh cut, edible, and deep-process flowers, as well as other aspects of the industry. The platform has also secured 137.8 million yuan in independent investment, venture capital and other project funds.  Additionally, the mass innovation and entrepreneurship platform has won the recognition of world-renowned flower breeders in the Netherlands, the United States, Israel and other countries.