{
  "id": 13045874,
  "title": "Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: scientist’s soybean research pushes agricultural frontier",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/spirit-of-hong-kong-awards-scientists-soybean-research-pushes",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-09T06:15:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3370232/spirit-hong-kong-awards-scientists-soybean-research-pushes-agricultural-frontier"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Lam Hon-ming, a scientist based in Hong Kong, has been dedicated to advancing soybean research since returning from postdoctoral studies in the United States in 1997. Soybeans, he found, not only provide valuable nutrition but also possess the ability to fix nitrogen levels in soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Some soybean varieties can also withstand harsh conditions such as drought and salinity.\n\nOver the course of nearly three decades, Lam focused his efforts on studying soybean genetics and developing varieties suited for challenging environments. His research has transcended the laboratory, with publications in esteemed scientific journals like Nature Genetics and Nature Communications exploring genetic diversity and salt tolerance in wild soybean plants. These findings have been instrumental in breeding non-genetically modified soybean varieties that can thrive in difficult growing conditions.\n\nLam's work has yielded significant results, with several varieties approved for cultivation in Gansu province on mainland China. From 2016 to 2024, the cumulative area planted with three of these varieties exceeded 100,000 hectares. Lam's innovations have been recognized with a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in 2025.\n\nCollaborating with international partners in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and South and Southeast Asia, Lam has extended his research to various regions, ensuring that soybean varieties are tailored to local conditions. He stresses the importance of working closely with farmers to understand their specific needs and selecting varieties that are suitable for local soil, temperatures, and growing seasons.\n\nLam's approach is collaborative, and he attributes much of his success to the support of his family and various foundations. The Lo Kwee Seong Foundation and Lee Hysan Foundation, among others, have contributed to his fieldwork, while private investors have also backed his long-term projects. His efforts have culminated in him being named a finalist for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in the innovation category, co-organized by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post.\n\nLooking ahead, Lam is committed to ensuring that his research contributes to the broader agricultural landscape. He aims to create conditions for future generations to build upon his work, potentially leading to commercial applications in agriculture and food production. His ultimate goal is to foster a new generation of researchers who can carry forward his pioneering work, making a lasting impact on food security and sustainable farming practices worldwide.",
  "summary": "When Professor Lam Hon-ming returned to Hong Kong after completing postdoctoral work in the United States in 1997, he was fixated on one question: how can science help feed the country and the world? He found that soybeans offered part of the answer. In addition to its nutritional value, the crop can fix nitrogen levels in the soil, reducing reliance on chemical fertiliser, and some varieties can…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Hong Kong rejects US downgrade to lowest tier in human trafficking report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hong-kong-rejects-us-downgrade-to-lowest-tier-in-human-trafficking",
        "published": "2026-10-08T21:43:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Hong Kong rejects US downgrade to lowest tier in human trafficking report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/hong-kong-rejects-us-downgrade-to-lowest-tier-in-human-trafficking",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:47:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}