A rapeseed variety from Qinghai, China, is making waves both domestically and internationally. The "Qingza Series" hybrid rapeseed, developed by Qinghai Hufeng Agricultural Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Qinghai Hufeng Group), has not only revolutionized local agriculture but also found success in Mongolia, marking a significant milestone for Qinghai's seed industry.

On May 14, a batch of 30 metric tons of "Qingza No. 5" rapeseed seeds, certified by Xining Customs, was exported to Mongolia via the Erlianhot Port. This shipment, destined for cultivation across 300,000 mu (20,000 hectares) of Mongolian farmland, set new records for both overseas planting area and export volume. "These 'golden seeds from the plateau' have proven their worth beyond borders," said He Shengping, deputy general manager of Qinghai Hufeng Group, with evident pride.

The international journey of the Qingza Series began with a trial planting in Mongolia in late 2024, facilitated by an Inner Mongolian trader familiar with the local market. The seeds' superior oil yield and quality quickly won over Mongolian farmers, leading to a formal cooperation agreement. "The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—our hybrid varieties outperform local options by doubling yields to over 150 kg per mu while increasing oil content by 3 percentage points," He noted.

Qinghai Hufeng Group's success stems from nearly three decades of collaboration with the Spring Rapeseed Research Institute of Qinghai University's Agriculture and Forestry Academy. Since its founding in 1999, the company has focused on bridging research and commercialization, investing millions annually to develop rapeseed varieties tailored to diverse climates—from high-altitude regions to mechanized farming zones. The Qingza Series now dominates 90% of Qinghai's market and 85% of China's spring rapeseed hybrid seed market.

The breeding breakthroughs didn’t come easily. In the 1990s, Qinghai's rapeseed yields languished below 100 kg per mu, with poor oil quality. Through relentless innovation, including "winter nurseries" in Yunnan to accelerate breeding cycles, researchers developed high-yielding, disease-resistant hybrids like "Qingza No. 1" (220 kg/mu, 45% oil content) and later "Qingza No. 5," which set a world record of 450.45 kg/mu. Today, the 22nd iteration of the series covers 5 million mu annually nationwide, with 17 varieties nationally certified.

Beyond exports, Qinghai Hufeng Group emphasizes knowledge sharing. In April, its team conducted hands-on training in Mongolia, teaching modern cultivation techniques to farmers accustomed to traditional methods. By August, the results were striking: lush fields with yields surpassing expectations.

The Qingza Series exemplifies Qinghai’s broader push to transform its agricultural exports from commodities to branded products. Other successes include高原冷凉蔬菜 (highland cold-tolerant vegetables) and quinoa seeds exported to Europe, alongside mushrooms and trout. From January to October this year, Qinghai’s foreign trade surged 42.7% year-on-year to 5.96 billion yuan, with agricultural exports up 36.4%.

Backed by policies like the Three-Year Action Plan for Open Economy Development (2025–2027), Qinghai is leveraging Belt and Road partnerships to globalize its agricultural innovations. As these "golden seeds" take root abroad, they carry not just economic promise but also the spirit of Sino-global agricultural collaboration.