Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (IMC, HAAS) was founded in 1984 by both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Hebei Province. The institute conducts systematic research using minor crops such as Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and, after the year of 2001, Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), Coix (Coix lacryma-jobi) and Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).
The institute has six research departments in the fields of cytogenetics, molecular genetics, Germplasm resource evaluation and innovation, breeding, plant protection, plant cultivation and physiology, and food deep-processing, respectively. Since the year of 1986, the institute has been presiding and participating nearly 300 research grants, bred 38 new varieties of foxtail millet and sorghum, obtained 20 patents, published 21 books and more than 1,400 papers, of which 38 were SCI indexed, also obtained 7 variety protection rights, 4 software copyrights and 12 technical criteria.
The institute has a staff of 53 members including researchers and administrative and support personnel, of which 24 are professors or associate professors. The research team includes one participant in the Provincial Talents Program, two provincial outstanding scientists, three recipients of the central government allowance, and three winners of distinguished young scholar awards in Hebei province. The institute owns a laboratory building covering 4,800 square meters, a 30-hectare experimental station and more than 800 sets of laboratory equipments.
The Institute is committed to becoming the international exchange and information center for foxtail millet, sorghum and other small cereals research and technological innovation. Academic exchanges and cooperation from all over the world are warmly welcome!