The Crop Science Society of China (CSSC) was established in December 1961 and is currently affiliated to Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). As an academic society established under the approval of Ministry of Civil Affairs, CSSC is a legally registered, academic, nation-wide non-profit organization that is voluntarily formed by scientists and institutions in the field of crop sciences. It is also a first level society under the leadership of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The business lines of CSSC covers international cooperation, academic exchanges, journals publication, professional exhibitions, science popularization, technology promotion, achievement appraisal, science and technology awarding, group-standards development , professional training and consultation.

To unite and organize crop science workers, promote high standards of professional ethics, earnestly implement the policy of science and technology work, “independent innovation, emphasis leaping, development support and future leading.” Centering on economic development, to serve scientific and technical workers, innovation and development, the improvement of civil scientific literacy, and decision making by the Party and the Government.

After 60 years of arduous effort, CSSC is now constituted of 22 specialized committees and 32 provincial societies in 32 provinces, autonomous regions, and directly-governed municipalities, with a total of 150 institutional members and over 20,000 individual members.

Inspired by the spirit of “dedication, innovation, realism, cooperation”, CSSC insists on serving researches under the support from CAST and CAAS. In the past 60 years, CSSC has persistently worked on strengthening the relationship between the Communist Party of China, the government, and science and technology researchers, with better service as basic responsibility and their satisfaction as principle criteria.

As one of the major social forces for popular science in crop science field, CSSC takes active parts in National Science and Technology Week and National Science Popularization Day. All subcommittees take advantages of shared popular science resources as a niche to carry out mass, basic, and social activities on popular science with increased capabilities and service quality.

CSSC also actively participates in the development of the national innovation system and takes as its principle responsibilities as a hub to promote academic exchanges and independent innovation among agriculture scientists. With its improved quality and expanding scale and influence, the annual conference has become a well-known brand conference of CSSC and the highest level of such gatherings. Moreover, CSSC has actively hosted a number of large international conferences, including the 8th World Soybean Research Conference and the 3rd China-Japan-Korea Workshop on Sweet Potato and the 7th International Crop Science Congress.

To recognize the outstanding achievements of people who have made excellent contributions in crop science and technology innovation, CSSC established the ‘Science and Technology Achievement Award of the Chinese Crop Science Society’ in 2006 which include there sub-award — Outstanding Talent Award, Innovation Team Award, and Youth S&T Award. It is the highest award in the field of crop science in China, and award distinguished scientific and technological workers each year. CSSC also established the ‘Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award’ in 2007, not more than 10 excellent papers are selected every year. Meanwhile, CSSC makes great effort to recommend prominent talents. It successfully recommended candidates for Academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Young Science and Technology Worker Award, and national outstanding science and technology workers.

As the main sponsor, CSSC edit and publish three journals including Acta Agronomica Sinica(monthly, in Chinese), The Crop Journal(bimonthly, in English) and Crops (bimonthly, in Chinese).