Yuan Longping, known as the father of hybrid rice, is inching toward the finish line in a decade-long race to raise crop yield.

The race started in 1997, with the 700 kg per mu (0.066 hectare) and 800 kg targets realized in 2000 and 2004; before he set his sights on 900 kg.

"I hope hybrid rice with a per-mu yield of over 900 kg is grown nationwide by 2010," Yuan, 78, said at his experimental paddy field in Hainan province.