The National Science and Technology Award Ceremony was grandly held at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of July 8, where the list of winners of the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards was announced.

The project entitled Key Technologies and Equipment for Full-Process Mechanization and Intelligent Production of Rice, with our university as the second completing unit, won the Second Prize of the National Award for Progress in Science and Technology. The research team led by Professor Li Yaoming from the College of Agricultural Engineering made major breakthroughs in core technologies including tray-based air-suction precision targeted hole seedling sowing and intelligent low-damage rice harvesting, delivering crucial technical support to the project.

Led by Academician Luo Xiwen from South China Agricultural University, this project targets the entire rice production chain covering ploughing, planting, field management, harvesting and drying. It has achieved breakthroughs in a series of key technologies such as precision land levelling, precision seeding, unmanned aerial vehicle precision operation, intelligent weeding, low-loss harvesting and energy-saving drying. The outcomes provide vital scientific and technological backing for boosting the mechanization and intelligence of rice production in China and safeguarding national food security.