When global agricultural leaders converged at the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Week in Nairobi, Kenya, BGI Group distinguished itself by championing a vision for Africa's agricultural future rooted in scientific innovation and partnership. The event spotlighted not just collaboration, but the power of genomics, advanced breeding, and sustainable practices to reshape food security across the continent.
On April 8, 2025, Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, speaks at the CGIAR Science Week 2025 event.
Perennial Rice: Transforming Yields and Livelihoods
At the heart of BGI Group's impact is the introduction of perennial rice - a breakthrough crop that can be harvested for multiple years without replanting. This innovation dramatically reduces the costs of cultivation, while boosting yields and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
In 2022, perennial rice was featured in the prestigious journal Science as one of the "Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of 2022," highlighted for its adaptability, high yield, and strong perennial traits. In the same year, it was recommended as a staple crop variety by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to Chinese farmers.
In December 2023, perennial rice was included in the agricultural technology promotion framework at the High-Level Ministerial Session of the fifth African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE). It was also listed in the “African Union Seeds and Biotechnology Program 2024-2025.”
Ugandan farmers harvesting perennial rice, April 2024.
Uganda, as the first country outside Asia to release a perennial rice variety, is leading the way in demonstrating the environmental and productivity benefits of perennial crops. Through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) South-South Cooperation Program and local partnerships, the perennial rice variety "NARO Rice One" has achieved harvests up to twice those of traditional varieties. Its success has inspired new projects in Burundi, Madagascar, and Malawi, including innovative rice-fish co-cultivation systems that enrich both farm productivity and local ecosystems.
New Milestone: BGI-Africa Cooperation Center for Perennial Rice Technology Launched
On October 22, 2024, BGI Group and Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Uganda's National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), officially launching the China-Africa Cooperation Center for Perennial Rice Technology and the BGI-NARO Center of Excellence in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Livestock. This partnership, witnessed by senior officials and from China, Uganda, and the African Union, marks a new era for agricultural research cooperation between China and Africa.
On October 22, 2024, BGI Group CEO and Executive Director Yin Ye (third from left) attended the inauguration ceremony for the China-Africa Cooperation Center for Perennial Rice Technology, and the BGI-NARO Center of Excellence at the Namulonge campus of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda.
On October 22, 2024, BGI Group and NARO signed an MoU to further strengthen cooperation in perennial rice technology, agricultural research, and personnel training.
The new centers will further advance perennial rice research, promote its cultivation across Africa, and support training for local talent, especially young researchers. At current stage, the center is focusing on collecting, maintaining, and sharing Oryza longistaminata, a unique perennial plant species, for further research, and advancing segregating populations from crosses with wild rice derivatives.
Reviving Africa's Orphan Crops
Africa is home to a treasure trove of traditional crops - baobab, millet, taro, African eggplant, and more - that are deeply nutritious and adapted to local conditions, yet have long been neglected by modern agriculture.
BGI Group, collaborating with the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), is harnessing advanced genome sequencing to bring these crops back to the forefront.
Since 2013, BGI has collaborated with leading global scientists and institutes on a series of chickpea genome studies and landmark achievements (photo courtesy of Rajeev Varshney).
By decoding the genetic blueprints of over 100 African crops, BGI has enabled the identification of traits linked to climate resilience, higher nutrition, and disease resistance. Landmark research, including the sequencing of over 3,000 chickpea genomes, is opening new doors for African breeders to develop robust, high-yielding, and nutrient-rich varieties for both local and global markets.
Expanding the Boundaries of Agriculture
Much of Africa's farmland faces challenges from salinity, drought, and poor soil health, limiting productivity and food security. BGI Group is committed to overcoming these barriers by using genomics and biotechnology to develop crops that thrive in challenging conditions.
The Desert Life Science Laboratory.
Through platforms like the Biosaline DataBase and initiatives like the Desert Life Science Laboratory, a partnership with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), BGI is advancing research into both crop genetics and beneficial soil microbes, supporting the transformation of arid and marginal lands into productive farms.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Cutting-Edge Genomic Technology
BGI is also harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which plant combinations will produce the best results. This makes breeding faster, more accurate, and more effective, accelerating the development of climate-resilient and high-yield varieties.
BGI Group's total solution utilizes cutting-edge low-pass whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology to transform sustainable agriculture. This innovative approach enables more accurate, efficient, and affordable genetic analysis compared to traditional methods, making advanced genomics accessible to a wider range of users.
Making Genomics Accessible
A key pillar of BGI's strategy is democratizing access to advanced genomics. By providing affordable whole genome sequencing and data analysis solutions, BGI enables African scientists, breeders, and farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions in crop improvement.
In September 2024, a BGI Group lecturer introduces the characteristics of perennial rice to African government officials and technician trainees during the "2024 Seminar for Perennial Rice Production for African Countries."
Training programs, such as those run with the African Plant Breeding Academy and national research institutions, are building critical local capacity and expertise. Furthermore, BGI's commitment to open data ensures that genomic insights are shared widely, fueling further innovation and collaboration.
Building a Sustainable and Food-Secure Future
BGI Group's approach - combining scientific excellence, partnership, and knowledge-sharing - is already delivering tangible benefits across Africa. Farmers are harvesting more resilient and productive crops, neglected species are being revived as new staples, and local institutions are gaining the tools to meet tomorrow's challenges.
As Africa's population grows and climate pressures intensify, BGI Group's blend of genomics, technology transfer, and collaborative research is laying the foundation for a more secure and sustainable agricultural future.
From CGIAR Science Week to fields and research labs across Africa, BGI Group demonstrates that science-led innovation and partnership can drive a new era of agricultural transformation - benefiting farmers, communities, and the continent as a whole.