Origin Agritech Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Acquires Controlling Interest in Changrong Seed Company.

SAN DIEGO & BEIJING -- Origin Agritech Limited ("Origin") (Nasdaq: SEED) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to establish a strategic partnership with the Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences ("JAAS") and its marketing and sales company, Jinong Hi-tech Inc. ("Jinong").

JAAS is one of the leading provincial agricultural research institutions in China. JAAS has 11 research units and is considered to be the premier agricultural research and development institution in the northeast region. Among its 11 research units are the National Corn Research and Improvement Center, the Jilin Branch of the National Rice Improvement Center, the Jilin Branch of the National Center on Corn Improvement, and the Jilin Province Key Open Lab on Agro-Biotechnology.

Jinong is presently the commercial subsidiary of JAAS and focuses on the production and marketing of corn, rice and soybean seeds, as well as fertilizers and pesticides. In 2003, Jinong was ranked as one of the top 50 seed companies in China. Jinong is known for its large portfolio of proprietary rice and corn hybrids, having submitted 69 accepted proprietary rights applications to the central government and having 48 already approved. In addition, Jinong has a very good reputation in the northeast of China, especially in Jilin province where Jinong has an estimated 30% of the corn seed market. Jinong's revenues for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 were RMB179 million ($22.3 million at an exchange rate of RMB8.03 per $1.00) and RMB242 million ($30.2 million at an exchange rate of RMB8.03 per $1.00), respectively.

The agreement between JAAS and Origin calls for JAAS to restructure its Jinong subsidiary to focus on R&D and to spin off its corn production, sales, and marketing functions into a newly formed joint venture company called Changrong Seed Co. Ltd. As part of that agreement Origin will purchase for a total of approximately $4 million dollars:

1. 23% of the new research oriented Jinong for approximately $2.5 million.

2. a controlling 33.5% of Changrong Seed Company, Ltd. for approximately $1.25 million

Jinong, itself, will also own a 33.5% interest in Changrong Seed Company Ltd., post reorganization.

As a result of the above transactions, Origin will effectively own either directly or indirectly a total of approximately 41% of Changrong Seed Company Ltd.

As a result of this reorganization, JAAS and Jinong will no longer be involved directly in the downstream corn seed marketing and sales business. They will, however, provide Changrong, on an exclusive basis, all of the new corn and rice hybrids developed by them in the future.

Dr. Gengchen Han, Origin's Chief Executive Officer, said today, "With JAAS and Jinong's strong R&D capability and its reorganization in the northeast region of China, Origin and Changrong can provide greater product resources and will have a strong influence on the corn market of the region."

Mr. Derong Yue, Dean of JAAS, said, "We are very pleased to establish the strategic partnership with Origin. By doing so, we can benefit greatly from Origin's management experience, market network and great reputation, which will help JAAS and Jinong to better direct our R&D efforts by focusing our resources on producing products which will better serve the market."

About Origin

Founded in 1997, Origin specializes in the research, development, production, sale and distribution of hybrid corn, rice and cotton seeds in China. The Company owns or leases facilities in, among other locations, Beijing, Gansu, Henan, Helongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Hainan and the Sichuan provinces, and also has an office in San Diego, CA. Origin launched its first entirely internally developed seed in 2003 and introduced four new proprietary corn hybrids to the market in 2004. In 2005 Origin had five new proprietary corn hybrids and one new proprietary cotton hybrid approved by the government registration office. Origin anticipates that it will introduce over 40 new proprietary products into the government testing and approval cycle between now and 2008. Origin recently announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in Denong Zhengcheng Seed Company, one of the leading producers and distributors of rice hybrids in China.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Origin's management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: business conditions in China, weather and natural disasters, changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; outcomes of government reviews; inquiries and investigations and related litigation; continued compliance with government regulations; legislation or regulatory environments, requirements or changes adversely affecting the businesses in which Origin is engaged; fluctuations in customer demand; management of rapid growth; intensity of competition from other providers of seed products; timing approval and market acceptance of new products introduction; general economic conditions; geopolitical events and regulatory changes, as well as other relevant risks detailed in Origin's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Origin assumes any obligation to update the information contained in this press release or filings.