Over the last few months a new genetically engineered rice, developed at Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice Research and Development Center in Qingdao, China, have been dominating the news outlets of Southern China. This new rice strain has the ability to draw nutrients from Salt Water, a previously impossible feat. Recent field tests of a new rice plant went incredibly successful says Yuan Longping, research leader. Although the research team did not expect a particularly large yield they were blown away as they were able to harvest over double their estimate. This is great news for China as not only will this rice be cheaper in the long run it will also be more accessible as it can grow in practically any environment while keeping manufacturing costs low. 
Yet another great property of this seemly miracle plant is its potential health benefits. Since it is grown in salt water this strain could be rich in calcium and other micro-nutrients, as such are abundant in saline water, according to Xinhua a major News outlet in China. The property of salt as a disinfectant could also repel pathogenic bacteria, making this new rice less exposed to pests. As a result, farmers may decrease their use of pesticides.
Although the current cost of this "sea rice" is relatively high it is expected to shoot down as production increases. The research leader behind this product told reporters that cultivation of the strain can feed more than 200 million people once it reaches mass production.
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