Staff Report ISD: The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has recently introduced 11 new high-yielding rice varieties.These new rice varieties include seven hybrid and four open-pollinated seed for cultivation in various ecologies.
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Masood, Chairman of Member Plant Sciences Division presided the Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) on rice that was held at PARC headquarters.
11 varieties got approved and eight were rejected due Bacterial leaf Blight disease vulnerability and below par grain quality performance. The approved varieties were recommended to the National Seed Council to take them to next level.
The detailed evaluation showed that hybrid varieties attested by VEC have high yield potential up to 92 mound per acre. On the other hand OP rice varieties have remarkably high yield potential than IRRI-6 and KSK-133 varieties.
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Masood said, “The addition of new recommended hybrids of rice in the national system of the country, it is expected that there will be a noteworthy improvement in rice production in Pakistan.”
Eminent dignitaries from different field of agriculture such as agronomists, rice breeders, entomologists, pathologists, seed experts, policy-makers, private seed companies representatives and provincial seed cooperation representatives were present at the occasion..
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, Chairman PARC acknowledged and complimented the endeavors of the scientists and other stakeholders in development of these new rice varieties.
He said, “I hope that the introduction of new rice varieties would not only produce promising crop yield but would also help farmers to raise their incomes to improve their livelihood and ultimately play role in building of overall economy of the country.”