In 1972, The application of rare earth elements in agriculture has been studied and tested in GRINM. A new field for rare earth application has emerged since then. In Oct. 1984, Rare earth agricultural technology development center was establish at the authorization of the national science and technology commission. The national rare earth agriculture center was established in Aug. 1993, which integrated scientific research, application and development of rare earth agriculture. It has accelerated the development of rare earth agriculture in China.   

There are 20 patents (10 patents has been authorized) for invention, dozens of papers and 6 treatises in the field. The main research directions include for the need of agricultural production and ecological construction:

1) New rare earth plant growth regulator

2) Rare earth fertilizer and fertilizer additives

3) Rare earth inhibitor

4) Rare earth photothermal conversion material

5) Rare earth feed additives

6)Rare earth environmental biological functional materials