The Brightest Star in the Sky
Yuan Longping is one of the most famous scientists. He regards himself as a farmer because he does his research in the fields. In fact, his sun burnt face and arms and his slim, strong body are just like those of millions of farmers. Dr. Yuan Longping grows what is called super hybrid （杂交性的） rice. In 1974, he became the first agricultural （农业的） pioneer in the word to grow rice hat has a high output（产量）. This special rice makes it possible to produce one﹣third more of the crop in the same fields Now more than 60% of the rice produced in China each year is from the hybrid rice strain （品种, 种类） He was born in Beijing in 1930. Since he graduated from Southwest Agricultural College in 1953. finding ways to grow more rice has been his life goal. He searched for a way to increase rice harvests without expanding （扩大, 增加） the area of the fields.
In a recent research, these increased harvests mean that 22% of the world's people are fed from just 7% of the farmland in China. India, Vietnam and many other less developed countries have planted super hybrid rice to increase their rice harvests.
Unluckily, he died on May 22, 2021. Though he was ill in bed, he still cared about his rice in the fields. He always said, "A man is just like a seed. Please be a good seed. " Yuan works for the people not only in China but also around the world. He has become a hero and is remembered in everyone's heart forever. He is called "the brightest star in the sky" by his students.
