Why did Fujian become an important rice-producing region during the Song dynasty?

Fujian became a vital rice-producing region during the Song dynasty primarily due to the introduction of a fast-ripening variety of rice known as Champa rice, which was imported from Southeast Asia.1

This agricultural advancement allowed the province to grow rapidly in importance as the economic hinterland for the Nan (Southern) Song capital, Lin’an (modern Hangzhou). By serving as a key supplier of grain to the capital region, Fujian solidified its role in the broader economy of the era.1