Yuan, 82, presented the latest progress regarding the development of "super-hybrid" rice at an international academic conference on hybrid grain held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province.
Experimental research on the new strain has entered a critical period, Yuan said.
"Scientifically speaking, hybrid rice has the potential (to reach the yield target)," he was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.
Research on super-hybrid rice began in 1996 as part of China's efforts to ensure food security.
A team of researchers led by Yuan reached a target unit yield of 700 kg per mu and 800 kg per mu in 2000 and 2005, respectively, setting world records both times. Last September, his team further raised the yield to 926.6 kg per mu.