Chinese seed could make Pakistan major rice producer

[defence_analyst]

LAHORE - Pakistan is likely to witness a revolution in paddy production in next couple of years because of Chinese cooperation with the government and private sector in the field.

While the modern hybrid rice varieties are already being sown over 1.5 million acres of land in Sindh, the seed is all set to be commercially launched in different districts of central and southern Punjab in upcoming season. Since the hybrid rice average yield is more than 100 maund per acre, the cultivation if adopted in Punjab could increase the annual rice production of the country to double digit. The country is 11th largest rice producer in the world with per year production of around 6 million tons.

A world leading Chinese company, Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture, and Guard Agriculture Research & Services Limited are actively involved in bringing revolution in the country’s rice production. The government has also entered into an agreement with China and 12 hybrid rice scientists arrived here to train local scientist and farmers on hybrid rice cultivation technologies to improve per acre crop productivity.

“Farmers in large part of Sindh are already getting average 100 maund per acre yield of hybrid rice but the traditional IRRI variety being sown in Punjab gives maximum 50 to 60 maund per acre yield,” said Shah Rukh Malik, a senior executive of the Guard Company. Since the crop could be sown over four million acres in Punjab, the company with Chinese cooperation aims to introduce varieties in the province. “We are focusing in Okara and Sahiwal districts in first stage. We believe farmers of the area will get a bumper crop on planting hydrid seed,” he added.

China is world’s major consumer of rice in the world and it imports 30 percent to 40 percent of its demand from Pakistan. The country’s rice export to neighbour country could become double if its farmers adopt modern method of agriculture. “We have the potential to become major seed exporter of this region to increase our per acre yield of rice. No one could stop Pakistan to become major rice exporter of the region if seed revolution reaches in Punjab,” said Shah Rukh.

Making Pakistan a hub of rice production is part of agriculture policy under CPEC. Private sector and Chinese experts are largely contributing to achieve this target. Different areas in Sindh have witnessed a revolution in paddy yield during last couple of year due to hybrid rice cultivation.

He cited the example of Sindh’s Golarchi area of Badin district where according to him hybrid rice is being sown on 450,000 acre, almost 80 percent of cultivation land. The per acre yield is around 120 maund and in some cases to over 140 maund in the area, he said. The bumper crops have brought a pleasant change in the lifestyle of the local community in last couple of years. The company executive and Chinese experts committed to develop every rice cultivation area of the country like that of Golarchi.
http://nation.com.pk/business/14-Oct-2017/chinese-seed-could-make-country-major-rice-producer

 

[Clutch]

Chinese investment in Pakistani agriculture industry is a welcome change for the better.

 

[MultaniGuy]

A good move indeed.

 

[kinsr]

Yes, Pakistan should use Chinese seeds, and kill its own Basmati production, which is considered the best in the world. Why not use better agricultural methods to improve yield than changing to hybrid rice. Unless Pakistanis themselves don't modify those seeds in-house thats a bad idea to import seeds. All Pakistani crop will become dependent on Chinese imports thus killing its in house industry.

This is why India has been against GM crops as the companies refused to share the technology for modifying the seeds.

 

[Maxpane]

 

[bananarepublic]

Chinese rice may yeild more in quality but quality wise our basmati rice is worlds best sad they are changing from basmati seeds

 

[xyxmt]

Chinese rice may yeild more in quality but quality wise our basmati rice is worlds best sad they are changing from basmati seeds

I really dont know what is so "best" about basmati rice, It is one of the varieties of rice, the one you can never cook perfectly, if you give it 30 seconds extra its over cooked and become kheer. There is no taste in it and I yet to find the aroma that its famous for (only among desi people). In Pakistani rice Variety I prefer Sela 10 times over basmati it has a taste and s texture. I prefer thai rice over Basmati any day. I usually find people who cook bad food always prefer Basmati because it only take 5 min to cook.
I will only eat Basmati with daal because it absorbs the liquid.

 

[defence_analyst]

Chinese rice may yeild more in quality but quality wise our basmati rice is worlds best sad they are changing from basmati seeds

Most of Pakistan rice is exported, I don't think there is much demand for basmati rice in China. This will double rice production per acre and bring mini revolution in that sector. Good for foreign exchange and farmers.

 

[v9s]

Yes, Pakistan should use Chinese seeds, and kill its own Basmati production, which is considered the best in the world. Why not use better agricultural methods to improve yield than changing to hybrid rice. Unless Pakistanis themselves don't modify those seeds in-house thats a bad idea to import seeds. All Pakistani crop will become dependent on Chinese imports thus killing its in house industry.

This is why India has been against GM crops as the companies refused to share the technology for modifying the seeds.

Dude, they're talking about replacing IRRI-6 with the hybrid rice. IRRI-6 is exported and not used domestically. Not once did the article mention Basmati.

 

[ziaulislam]

even if basmati is considered the best its still not branded and used as such
quantity has its own value rather than sticking to one thing
same is true regarding wheat

 

[S.Y.A]

. I usually find people who cook bad food always prefer Basmati because it only take 5 min to cook.

acutally no, people who dont know how to cook use sela, because you can cook it as long as you want and it wont turn into kheer as you mentioned. only experts at cooking can properly cook the basmati as it requires care and proper monitoring. that is why most bawarchis prefer sela they dont have to look after it.

 

[kinsr]

Dude, they're talking about replacing IRRI-6 with the hybrid rice. IRRI-6 is exported and not used domestically. Not once did the article mention Basmati.

What exactly are the Chinese company selling? The article says that Pakistan can become major exporter of Seeds.

Anyways you should pay attention to the last line of the article

The company executive and Chinese experts committed to develop every rice cultivation area of the country like that of Golarchi.

 

[egodoc222]

This is the worst possible move...the effects of GM crops are unpredictable could have drastic effect on the environment. Better water management would be enough...bcoz Punjab has fertile lands!!

 

[Great Sachin]

I am happy for Pakistan....keep using Chinese seeds

 

[nang2]

Chinese rice seeds are not GM seeds.