Ponlai Rice Naming Centennial: Taiwan-Japan Agricultural Experts Commemorate Rice Planting on Yangmingshan
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ponlai rice's naming, the Ministry of Agriculture held a commemorative rice planting ceremony in Zhuzihu, Yangmingshan. Japanese agricultural experts and the great-grandson of Japanese engineer Suehiro In, who developed Ponlai rice, also participated, celebrating the agricultural exchange and historical ties between Taiwan and Japan.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 15:11
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 22nd) This year marks the 100th anniversary of the naming of Ponlai rice. The Ministry of Agriculture today held the "Ponlai Rice Centennial Commemorative Rice Planting Ceremony" at the original seed field in Zhuzihu, Yangmingshan. Agricultural experts from Japan and the great-grandson of Japanese engineer Suehiro In, who cultivated Ponlai rice back then, also participated.
Hu Chung-yi, Vice Minister of Agriculture, said that Ponlai rice originated from Japanese varieties and was named in 1926. Before that, Taiwan only consumed native rice. After the Japanese came to Taiwan, they were not accustomed to it, so they introduced Japanese varieties for cultivation. However, due to Taiwan's hotter climate, it was not successful. Later, it was discovered that the environment in Zhuzihu was similar to Kyushu, Japan, making it suitable for cultivating Japanese rice, and it became a breeding base. Promotion began, but it was still prone to rice blast disease when grown in the plains.
Hu Chung-yi said that later, a Japanese engineer, Suehiro In, crossbred two Japanese rice varieties and shortened the breeding time. The results proved that it could be successfully cultivated in Taiwan. Suehiro In later also served as the director of the Taichung Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station (predecessor of the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station). The Japanese Governor-General then named the Japanese rice improved in Taiwan "Ponlai rice." Later, Taiwanese agricultural teams also successively developed various varieties of Ponlai rice, and Taiwanese gradually switched to eating Ponlai rice. Today's event symbolizes the original intention of "drinking from the source" (remembering one's origins).
The Ministry of Agriculture also invited academic visiting groups from Hokkaido University and Japan's National Institute of Genetics to plant rice together, paying tribute to the research spirit of their predecessors.
Hiroki Kushima, Suehiro In's great-grandson, personally participated in the rice planting. He said that since childhood, he often heard his grandmother talk about his great-grandfather's story of cultivating Ponlai rice in Taiwan. His great-grandfather worked in the fields early and diligently researched breeding at night. His grandmother hoped he would learn from his great-grandfather's spirit, so he has always felt a deep connection with Taiwan. He experienced rice planting in school as a child, but planting rice in Taiwan today, thinking of his great-grandfather, holds special significance.
Hiroki Kushima said that he first came to Taiwan 15 years ago and has visited 7 times since. He still remembers being deeply moved the first time he ate Ponlai rice. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 22nd) This year marks the 100th anniversary of the naming of Ponlai rice. The Ministry of Agriculture today held the "Ponlai Rice Centennial Commemorative Rice Planting Ceremony" at the original seed field in Zhuzihu, Yangmingshan. Agricultural experts from Japan and the great-grandson of Japanese engineer Suehiro In, who cultivated Ponlai rice back then, also participated.
Hu Chung-yi, Vice Minister of Agriculture, said that Ponlai rice originated from Japanese varieties and was named in 1926. Before that, Taiwan only consumed native rice. After the Japanese came to Taiwan, they were not accustomed to it, so they introduced Japanese varieties for cultivation. However, due to Taiwan's hotter climate, it was not successful. Later, it was discovered that the environment in Zhuzihu was similar to Kyushu, Japan, making it suitable for cultivating Japanese rice, and it became a breeding base. Promotion began, but it was still prone to rice blast disease when grown in the plains.
Hu Chung-yi said that later, a Japanese engineer, Suehiro In, crossbred two Japanese rice varieties and shortened the breeding time. The results proved that it could be successfully cultivated in Taiwan. Suehiro In later also served as the director of the Taichung Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station (predecessor of the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station). The Japanese Governor-General then named the Japanese rice improved in Taiwan "Ponlai rice." Later, Taiwanese agricultural teams also successively developed various varieties of Ponlai rice, and Taiwanese gradually switched to eating Ponlai rice. Today's event symbolizes the original intention of "drinking from the source" (remembering one's origins).
The Ministry of Agriculture also invited academic visiting groups from Hokkaido University and Japan's National Institute of Genetics to plant rice together, paying tribute to the research spirit of their predecessors.
Hiroki Kushima, Suehiro In's great-grandson, personally participated in the rice planting. He said that since childhood, he often heard his grandmother talk about his great-grandfather's story of cultivating Ponlai rice in Taiwan. His great-grandfather worked in the fields early and diligently researched breeding at night. His grandmother hoped he would learn from his great-grandfather's spirit, so he has always felt a deep connection with Taiwan. He experienced rice planting in school as a child, but planting rice in Taiwan today, thinking of his great-grandfather, holds special significance.
Hiroki Kushima said that he first came to Taiwan 15 years ago and has visited 7 times since. He still remembers being deeply moved the first time he ate Ponlai rice. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.