Rice Variety Evaluation (VEC) recently held a meeting with Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) headquarters in Islamabad. Speaking to the participants, PARC Chairman Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali appreciated the role of the private and public sectors in generating interest in rice research and development in the country.
Emphasizing the importance of quality seeds to increase farmers’ productivity and productivity, he appreciated the role of research institutes and seed companies in providing quality seeds to rice farmers in Pakistan. PARC National Coordinator Dr Muhammad Yusuf briefed the committee members on thirty-eight proposals for rice hybrids/varieties.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Food Security and National Research, Federal Seed Certification, national and multinational seed companies, and rice scientists from provincial and federal research institutions.
After extensive consultation, WEC recommended 08 high yielding rice hybrids from private seed companies for cultivation in Pakistan. National Institute of Genomics and Biotechnology (NIGAB) PARC has introduced four high-yielding rice varieties, with yields 23-24% higher than existing varieties, which have also been approved by VEC for cultivation in Pakistan.
In addition, the meeting recommended the cultivation of long wheat (9mm) Sandal Bar Basmati and Kala Shah Kaku and the Rice program developed by Pindi Bhattian of VEC Soil Salinity Research Institute, Rice Research Institute, NARC. , Islamabad. The introduction of these varieties and hybrids is expected to increase the productivity and profitability of farmers.
Dr Imtiaz Hussain, Chairman, WEC, Member, Department of Plant Sciences, PARC, expressed confidence that the release of these high-yielding rice varieties will increase the country’s productivity. PARC also said it wants to support public and private sector institutions and seed companies in evaluating and releasing rice hybrids and varieties. MNFSR Food Security Commission Dr. Waseem ul Hasan appreciates the efforts of rice scientists in Pakistan to develop high-yielding hybrids and varieties of rice.
