National Citrus Engineering Research Center

The Center, approved and funded by the Ministry of Science & Technology （MOST）in 2007, is a professional R & D innovation platform for citrus science and technology. It was the first national engineering research center for fruit industry in China, as well as the first one for agriculture in Southwestern China. Its academic committee consists of world famous scientists, experts and professors from the main citrus growing regions and leading processing companies. They are convened by the Center to work together on all citrus research directions, mainly focus on the key technological issues which are critical, basic and general to the development of citrus industry, in order to development and extension of key technologies for propagation of high quality citrus plants, for standardization of citrus production and processing techniques. A group of world famous companies for orange juice processing and well-known brands of products have come into being after the founding of the Center, through R & D of citrus engineering technology and industrialization, personnel training, construction of pilot production lines, academic exchange and cooperation, and open services. All these efforts promote the development of the citrus processing industry, strengthen international competitiveness, and enhance the sustainable development of the citrus industry in China. 

The Center has been undertaking over 70 key research projects funded by the national and provincial governments, including National 863 Program, National Key Technology R&D Program, and Special Fund for Public Welfare Technology Research of Agricultural Industry. The Center has been awarded two second prize of National Prize for Achievement in Science and Technology, one first prize and several second and third prizes of Chongqing’s Prize for Achievement in Science and Technology, granted 15 patents, registered 5 citrus varieties, developed NFC orange juice processing system, citrus virus detection kit, DNA chips, flower and fruit growth promoting agent, mites predators and other 30 products. Over 60 postgraduate students have graduated from the Center. Apart from those, Center have conducted many activities on information exchange and profession service, and cooperation with domestic and international citrus enterprises. In particular, the Center has played a very important role in relieving the freezing disaster in Southern China in early 2008 and other emergencies of agricultural incident by providing techniques and on-site guidance and training. The Center was praised and given good comments by the MOA official and people in the stricken areas.