The Rice Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) recently held a meeting with Headquarters of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in Islamabad. Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC while talking to the participants appreciated the role of private and public sector in taking interest in rice research and development in the country. He emphasized the importance of quality seed to increase productivity and profitability of farmers and appreciated the role of research institutes and seed companies for availability of quality seed to rice farmers in Pakistan. Dr. Muhammad Yousuf, National Rice Coordinator of PARC, presented to the committee members an overview of thirty-eight rice hybrid/variety proposals. The meeting was attended by representatives of 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.
After extensive discussions, VEC has recommended 08 high yielding hybrids of rice by private seed companies for cultivation in Pakistan. The National Institute of Genomics and Biotechnology (NIGAB) of PARC has introduced four high-yielding varieties of fine rice with 23-24% higher yield than the existing varieties, which have also been approved by the VEC for cultivation in Pakistan. Besides, the VEC during the meeting also recommended cultivation of long grain (9mm) Sandal Bar Basmati developed by Soil Salinity Research Institute Pindi Bhattian and two varieties of coarse rice, one each from Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku and Rice Program, NARC, Islamabad. The introduction of these varieties and hybrids is expected to increase the productivity and profitability of farmers.
Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, Member, Plant Sciences Division, PARC, chaired the VEC and expressed his belief that the release of these high-yielding rice varieties will help improve rice productivity in the country. He also highlighted PARC’s commitment to support public and private sector institutes and seed companies in the evaluation and release of rice hybrids and varieties. Dr. Waseem ul Hassan, Food Security Commission, MNFSR, appreciated the efforts of rice scientists in Pakistan for releasing high yielding hybrids and varieties of rice.
