Vec recommends 08 high-yielding rice hybrids for cultivation
Published on: April 3, 2024.
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The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of the Pakistan Agriculture Council (PARC) has recommended eight high-yielding rice hybrids from private seed companies for cultivation. This move aims to further enhance the output of the country’s major cash crop.
The National Institute of Genomics and Biotechnology (NIGAB) of PARC presented four high-yielding fine rice varieties with a 23-24% higher yield than the existing varieties. These varieties were endorsed by the VEC for cultivation in Pakistan, according to a press release.
The committee, chaired by Chairman PARC Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, held a meeting that was attended by representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Federal Seed Certification, national and multinational seed companies, as well as rice scientists from provincial and federal research institutes.
During the meeting, the VEC also recommended the cultivation of a long-grain (9 mm) Sandal Bar Basmati variety developed by the Soil Salinity Research Institute Pindi Bhattian. Additionally, two coarse rice varieties were recommended, one from the Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku and one from the Rice Program, NARC, Islamabad.
Chairman PARC emphasized the importance of quality seed in enhancing the productivity and profitability of farmers. He commended the role of research institutes and seed companies in providing quality seed to rice farmers in Pakistan.
Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, a member of the Plant Sciences Division, expressed commitment to supporting public and private sector institutes and seed companies in evaluating and releasing rice hybrids and varieties.
Source: [UrduPoint – Pakistan Point News](https://www.urdupoint.com)
