Global Rice News

Punjab’s Agriculture Potential: A Boost in Exportable Surplus

In a recent press conference, Shahzad Ali Malik, Chairman of Pakistan Hi-tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA), emphasized that Punjab has the capability to generate an exportable surplus of wheat, cotton, basmati rice, and maize. The key to achieving this lies in the availability of high-yielding hybrid seeds for the farmers.

Addressing the formation of the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), Malik expressed hope that the authority would support the Prime Minister’s objective of eradicating the seed mafia. He also criticized the fact that PHHSA was not given representation in the NSDRA, despite the remarkable increase in yield for crops such as rice and maize, achieved through hybrid seeds. Pakistan has successfully met local demands and is now exporting rice and maize to other countries. Furthermore, through the use of quality hybrid basmati rice seeds, the per acre yield of other crops like wheat and cotton can be multiplied.

Malik also brought attention to the seed mafia plaguing the agricultural sector by selling uncertified “Banola” as seed, which violates government regulations. He commended the Prime Minister’s decision to import high-quality, high-yield seeds for enhanced agricultural production.

Hailing the appointment of Dr. Asif Ali Khan as the first chairman of NSDRA, Malik expressed optimism that he would work towards achieving the Prime Minister’s targets by involving all stakeholders. He highlighted the importance of transferring hybrid technology and conducting local research and development, which has significantly contributed to a 600% increase in rice exports over the past 20 years. By crossing the $5 billion mark by 2027, Pakistan aims to further harness surplus rice production.

While the technology for the IRRI type of rice was transferred from China, Malik emphasized the need for local research to counteract India’s dominance in the basmati rice variety. Currently, basmati rice cultivation is concentrated in Pakistani Punjab alone. However, India’s research on long grain and high-yield rice varieties has allowed them to capture the market. Malik called for government support in expediting the approval of researched varieties by local seed companies.

Additionally, Malik hailed the government’s vision of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its “Green Pakistan” initiative to cultivate the barren land of Cholistan. He stressed the importance of utilizing certified high-yielding quality seeds and highlighted the potential of Punjab’s desert land to take Pakistan’s agriculture to new heights.

By replicating the success story of Guard Agriculture Research in hybrid rice, Pakistan can achieve import substitution of approximately $10 billion in cotton, wheat, edible oil, and pulses, as well as surplus production for export.

President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kashif Anwar, and Senior Vice Chairman of PHHSA, Shafique Ur Rehman, demanded that the government involve PHHSA in all important decision-making forums.

Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk