New super rice strains with an expected yield of 14.9 metric tons per hectare will help China maintain its largely self-sufficient supply of rice, a staple food for more than 60 percent of its population, over the next few decades, experts said.

Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu launched on Tuesday a scientific research project in Hainan province to develop new super rice strains.

The project, which will be undertaken by agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, known as the "father of hybrid rice" for developing the first hybrid rice varieties in the 1970s, will realize its target within five to eight years, according to the ministry.