German botanist dedicated life to poverty relief in China

MAGIC BERRIES

Perner did not stop. He planned to introduce more berries. He and his wife set up a team to clone four more crops, including blackberries and cranberries.

"These fruits have been optimized in overseas market, but are rarely farmed in China," Gan said.

They planned to establish a complete industrial chain and partner with research institutes and universities to offer professional support to lower the risks for farmers.

This year, 20,000 cranberry seedlings will be planted in the Zoige wetlands - one of the fastest desertificating regions in China. And these cold-resistant little red berries are expected to improve local ecological system as well as bring wealth.

Data from the U.S. cranberry market showed the U.S. cranberry exports to China surged by more than seven times in the past five years. Between 2015 and 2016, China imported 5,820 tonnes of cranberries from the United States, up 55 percent year on year.

Perner also brought potatoes from Germany and planned to grow them there on a trial basis.

"We have just cloned those potatoes, they have sprouted. These colored potatoes are good for health and can be harvested annually, while the cranberries can only bear fruits in three years. It will become an excellent poverty relief project if we can combine both," Gan said. "But he left, even without saying goodbye."

Many researchers have learned about Perner's passing and offered help to Gan, and she is confident of keeping up the work.

"We may have some difficulties in research and development without Perner, but we have received worldwide help. I am confident that we can continue implementing Dr. Perner's plan," she said.