The 16th Tengzhou Potato Industry Development Conference

The 16th Tengzhou Potato Industry Development Conference was held on April 18-19, 2025, at the Workers' Cultural Palace in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province. More than 300 people, including leaders and experts from the China Vegetable Circulation Association, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and representatives from domestic and international potato industries, gathered to discuss the blueprint for high-quality development of the potato industry. This conference focused on seed innovation, breakthroughs in processing technology, and upgrading the entire industrial chain, injecting new momentum into the "Hometown of Chinese Potatoes."

Academician's Report: Solving the Staple Food Problem and Securing China's Food Supply

At the opening ceremony, Professor Wu Chi, Director of the Food Science and Processing Research Center of Shenzhen University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote report entitled "Securing China's Food Supply and Innovative Potato Processing," elaborating on the core technological principles of directly processing fresh potatoes into dried rice, noodles, and other recombinant forms. This technology, through optimizing the potato starch structure recombination process, successfully addresses the pain points in my country's current potato staple food development process, such as high cost, poor taste, and difficulty in large-scale production. It provides a disruptive solution for transforming potatoes from a "vegetable" to a "staple food." Wu Chi emphasized that this technology not only broadens potato consumption scenarios but also provides technological support for the national food security strategy.

Industry-University-Research Cooperation Agreement Signed: Potato Rice Production Line to be Established in Tengzhou

At the conference, Academician Wu, representing Whole Vegetable Food Processing and Research (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., signed a strategic agreement with Shandong Wild Forest Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., planning to build a potato rice production line in Tengzhou. This project will fully utilize Tengzhou's dual-season potato planting and distribution center characteristics, relying on the proprietary technology of Wu Chi's team, to produce innovative products such as "potato rice," helping Tengzhou transform from a "major fresh potato exporter" to a "high-value-added processing center."

On-site Inspection: Technology Empowers Upgrading of the Entire Industrial Chain

After the meeting, Academician Wu and his delegation visited the potato planting base in Jiehe Town, observing demonstration fields of independently developed varieties such as "Tengyu No. 1" and "Jiexing No. 1," and highly praised the local efficient "two potatoes and one grain" planting model. Accompanied by Wang Yanli, Chairman of Shandong Yesenlin Company, the academician team also inspected the Donggu flour production line and planned the future layout of a "potato rice" factory on-site. With the coordination of Cheng Liang, Deputy Secretary of the Tengzhou Municipal Party Committee, and Wang Jianqiao, Director of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, Academician Wu also discussed cooperation intentions with Liu Guangliang, General Manager of Shandong Meiguolai Food Co., Ltd., on jointly developing a fresh-pressed potato juice product chain. This cooperation is expected to promote the formation of a diversified product matrix in Tengzhou, from fresh potatoes to staple foods and beverages.

Unwavering Commitment: The "Sea of Stars" Through the Eyes of an Academician

From keynote speeches to signing agreements, Academician Wu consistently emphasized the mission of scientific research to serve national strategies: "Food security is of paramount importance to the nation. Ensuring that people have enough to eat, eat well, and eat healthily is our eternal 'sea of stars.'" The technology transfer path of the academician's team is deeply aligned with Tengzhou's goal of "building a national potato industry highland."