Vec Recommends 8 High-Yielding Rice Hybrids for Cultivation in Pakistan
Published on: April 4, 2024.
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The Rice Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) has recommended eight high-yielding rice hybrids from private seed companies for cultivation in Pakistan. This recommendation was made during a meeting of the VEC with the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in Islamabad.
Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, praised the efforts of both the private and public sectors in the research and development of rice in the country. He highlighted the importance of quality seed for increasing the productivity and profitability of farmers and acknowledged the role of research institutes and seed companies in providing quality seed to rice farmers in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Dr. Muhammad Yousuf, National Coordinator Rice of PARC, presented thirty-eight proposals for rice hybrids and varieties. The National Institute of Genomics and Biotechnology (NIGAB) of PARC also presented four high-yielding fine rice varieties, which have a yield that is 23-24% higher than existing varieties. These varieties were endorsed by the VEC for cultivation in Pakistan.
Additionally, the VEC recommended the cultivation of a long-grain Sandal Bar Basmati, developed by the Soil Salinity Research Institute Pindi Bhattian, as well as two coarse rice varieties from the Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku and Rice Program, NARC, Islamabad.
The introduction of these recommended varieties and hybrids is expected to improve the productivity and profitability of farmers in Pakistan. Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, a member of the Plant Sciences Division at PARC, presided over the VEC meeting and expressed confidence that the release of these high-yielding rice varieties would contribute to enhancing rice productivity in the country. He also reaffirmed PARC’s commitment to supporting public and private sector institutes and seed companies in evaluating and releasing rice hybrids and varieties.
Dr. Waseem ul Hassan, Food Security Commissioner of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), commended the efforts of rice scientists in Pakistan for their work in releasing these high-yielding rice hybrids and varieties.
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