A new type of high-quality rice called 898A was created through breeding by Hunan Jinjian Seed Ltd. and Changde Agricultural Science Research Institute. It has good agronomic traits, stable male sterility, and high grain quality meeting Chinese standards. In 2004, experts found that 898A had 100% sterile plants, 99.99% sterile pollens, and 0.1% self-seed setting. It also has early flowering, high seed production, and strong yield when crossed with other varieties. The rice was officially approved in February 2005.