Kiwi scientist receives China's highest research honour

AgResearch senior scientist Dr Phil Rolston has been honoured with China's highest award for foreign scientists. Photo / Supplied

China has presented its highest award for foreign researchers to a renowned Kiwi scientist who helped change the face of the country's farming systems.

Dr Phil Rolston, a senior scientist at AgResearch's Lincoln-based forage breeding team, was one of seven people to receive the International Science and Technology Co-operation Award in a recent ceremony attended by more than 3000 people.

Fewer than 100 scientists have received the honour.

Dr Rolston is known around the world for his work in forage seed production, grassland farming systems and pastoral agronomy, and has been actively involved in 30 research and development projects on grassland and livestock production in China since the early 1980s.

He had also been instrumental in introducing Kiwi-style grassland farming systems and techniques to western China.

"Huge areas that used to be almost desert now resemble New Zealand green pasture, with significant improvement in productivity and farmer incomes," said outgoing Ambassador to China, Carl Worker.

"This is as a result of Phil's great work."

While working with Lanzhou University, the Guizhou Agriculture Commission and other organisations, Dr Rolston helped improve soil fertility through plant selection pasture establishment and management, boosting the region's economic performance.

Dr Rolston also helped Lanzhou University and other institutions to develop forage seed science research and has trained significant numbers of Chinese technical staff, which has enhanced research capacity and accelerated grassland agriculture production in China.

He supervised the establishment of the first grazing-type dairy farm in Karst region which is still a successful model after more than 20 years of use.

"My involvement in China began in 1983 in the southwest province of Guizhou where a group of New Zealanders were contracted by the Chinese government to establish a model farm at Dushan," Dr Rolston said.

"At the time I was with DSIR Grasslands Division and the Director, Dr Ray Brougham, was involved in the project and got me involved.

"Thirty years and 60 visits later, it certainly was a humbling and exciting experience to participate in a ceremony run by the Premier and with so many participants in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square."

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce noted China was an important research partner for New Zealand.

"Research collaboration between the two countries is growing rapidly, and President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand in November highlighted our deepening partnerships," he said.

"This award is a tremendous honour for Dr Rolston, and a great example of how our best and brightest are forging strong and enduring linkages with China to build knowledge and expertise in new areas."