At a recent private enterprise symposium, Li Denghai, the honorary chairman of Shandong Denghai Seed Industry, was recognized for his faith in the power of seeds, believing that controlling seeds means controlling the world.

Li Denghai, born in Shandong's Yantai, is recognized alongside Yuan Longping, the father of hybrid rice in China.

From 1972 to 1979, Li conducted detailed research and comparative trials on more than 100 domestic corn varieties, ultimately unlocking the secrets to high productivity.

Despite facing odds of just one in 120,000, Li successfully bred 146 generations of high-yield corn varieties over 50 years. His efforts led to the development of the Yedan series, which were crucial to the breeding and production application of high-density-tolerant varieties, significantly boosting yields. Yedan 2 and Yedan 13 gained widespread popularity, with the latter holding the top spot in terms of national planting area for five consecutive years.

Li's corn seeds, now being cultivated on a land area of 1 billion mu (67 million hectares) in China, have increased the number of people fed per mu of land from one to four or five. He is revered as the "father of compact hybrid corn in China" and the sole farmer-scientist among the "Top 10 Meritorious Figures in China's Seed Industry".

Li Denghai, known as the father of compact hybrid corn in China, is honorary chairman of Shandong Denghai Seed Industry. [Photo/Qilu News]

Denghai Seed Industry's superior corn varieties are now being cultivated on an area exceeding 1.5 billion mu nationwide, generating over 150 billion yuan ($20.59 billion) in social and economic benefits. These achievements have significantly advanced hybrid corn technology, enhanced agricultural productivity, increased farmers' incomes, and ensured national food security.

Li Denghai's dedication to seed breeding has not only borne fruit in the form of abundant harvests but has also played a crucial role in shaping China's agricultural landscape.