Seed industry innovation should be multi-faceted, multi-angle and multi-level

When it comes to innovation, it is always reminiscent of positive energy. Generally speaking, no one will not welcome innovation; however, when it comes to specific innovative events or problems, due to the inherent way of thinking, traditional habits and vested interests, people tend to make the opposite choice. The forces of tradition and habit always set barriers and exert pressure on innovation step by step. Therefore, we always see a very paradoxical social phenomenon: when it comes to innovation, there are many people who talk eloquently, and there are also many people who like dragons.

In the field of seed industry, people often think that scientific research and breeding are innovation, and others are implementation and operation, but this is a very narrow understanding. What is innovation? Innovation is multi-faceted, multi-angle and multi-level, and innovation is pervasive and omnipresent. New ideas, new methods, new materials, new characteristics, new combinations, new applications, new environment, etc. can all be innovations; from large subversive thinking, to integrated innovation, to small and detailed improvements, these are all innovations. The exploration and application of new scientific research methods is innovation, the cultivation and improvement of new varieties is innovation, the progress of seed production and processing process and technology is innovation, the improvement of marketing and service of seed industry is also innovation; the cultivation of "Zhengdan 958" and "Xianyu 335" is innovation, the promotion of value marketing concept and way in seed industry is innovation, and it is innovation to popularize single seed sowing method and mechanized grain harvest in China.

In short, innovation is the operation of unusual ideas, methods and materials to meet the unmet needs of users or consumers, and bring new value to the participants in the industrial chain.

However, innovation can not fall out of thin air, innovation has clear constraints and generating conditions.

First of all, innovation is a maverick way of thinking and perspective, does not stick to conventions, does not play cards in accordance with common sense, and often challenges or even subverts mainstream perceptions and traditional habits. As a result, innovators are often suppressed by mainstream consciousness. IPhone, Tesla, Uber, Taobao, Wechat and so on are the best examples. Because of this, in order to really encourage innovation, our society needs respect for personalized differences, listening to different voices, tolerance for "heresy", and even tolerance for mistakes. There is no successful innovation without repeated exploration and countless failures. Stifle individuality, wipe out heresy, and completely stifle innovation.

Secondly, innovation needs the fairness of system design. The traditional scientific research system allows researchers in scientific research institutions to eat "imperial grain", bear zero risk, enjoy scientific research funds and "achievement transformation" commission, and compete with private enterprises in the market without a bottom line. There are fundamental defects in this system design, which seriously restricts the healthy development of the seed industry. The core of the scientific research system reform of China's seed industry is to return to the fairness of the system, and only in this way can we fully mobilize the enthusiasm of all social resources.

Third, innovation should be supported by corresponding laws and regulations and policy systems. The direction of variety approval can not deviate from the demand of the industry, and the long cycle of four years of approval lags far behind the speed of industrial development. Due to the mutual entanglement of the perspective, level and interests of cognition, there are differences between the personnel in the examination and approval system and the industry. This kind of thinking of ignoring the law of industrial and economic development and adhering to the traditional examination and approval system has greatly delayed the development of China's seed industry.

Fourth, innovation should be protected by the intellectual property system. To strengthen the protection of the right of new varieties is to protect innovative thinking and innovative talents. At present, China's seed industry has rampant licensing and serious piracy, which seriously dampens the enthusiasm of innovators, harms the interests of farmers, and disturbs the order of the industry. Some local competent departments adopt the idea of "generating income" with penalties, local protectionism and inaction that go their own way, and so on, all of which have contributed to the unhealthy trend of licensing and piracy, intentionally or unintentionally actually acting as an "umbrella" for all kinds of theft.

Finally, innovation requires the courage to constantly deny oneself and the restriction of self-interest. Due to the different characteristics of development at different stages and the limitations of the level of understanding, once effective strategies will be outdated, once catalysts may also become stumbling blocks, and former innovators may also become laggards. The evaluation of innovative thinking and innovative practice should not be rejected because it is inconsistent with existing regulations and habits, should not be abandoned in conflict with one's own professional cognition, and should not be put into another book because of conflicts with the interests of the unit and the individual. Innovation is the most important driving force for industry and social progress. Whether the innovation is established or reasonable does not depend on the likes and dislikes of the referee, the official certificate or the innovator's self-expression. Innovation is measured by the acceptance of users, the influence on the industry and the value created for the participants in the industrial chain, whether the value is real or future, clear or potential, tangible or intangible.

The formation and development of innovative culture requires the understanding, support and active participation of the whole society. At the same time, real innovation will constantly challenge traditional thinking, inherent order and popular culture, and it will always test our wisdom, our minds, and our justice.