Agriculture Research: VEC recommends 14 new rice hybrids

The VEC rejected fifteen (15) rice hybrids due to poor paddy yield, BLB disease susceptibility and poor grain quality

ISLAMABAD:
The Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) on Rice of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has recommended 14 new rice hybrids to the National Seed Council for their commercial cultivation in the country. Some of the recommended hybrids have yielded up to 106 maunds per acre, according to a statement. Parc Chairman Dr Nadeem Amjad said that with the addition of new recommended hybrids in the national system of the country there would be a significant improvement in the rice production in Pakistan. In the VEC rice meeting sixteen private seed companies presented their rice hybrids proposals. The VEC rejected fifteen (15) rice hybrids due to poor paddy yield, BLB disease susceptibility and poor grain quality. The National Coordinator (Cereal Systems) Parc Mian Abdul Majid appreciated the role of private seed companies for taking interest in rice research and development and working in close collaboration with public sector.


Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2016.