Rice output rises as farmers shift to hybrid

Variety becoming popular among growers due to high per acre yield.

LAHORE: Rice exporters have said that rising cultivation of hybrid rice has led to an increase in per acre yield and produced surplus for export. At present, hybrid rice, which is becoming increasingly popular among farmers, is being planted on 500,000 acres of land across the country.

In a press release, a spokesperson for the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) said in Sindh, hybrid rice was being cultivated on vast areas.

In Balochistan, this rice is being planted in Jaffarabad, Nasirabad and Usta Muhammad while in Punjab, it is being cultivated in Multan, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and other areas.

The reason for the popularity of hybrid rice among farmers is the high average yield of around 80 maunds (40 kg) per acre. In some cases, progressive growers achieve even higher yields in the range of 110 to 120 maunds per acre.

By promoting hybrid rice, China has increased its national average yield per hectare from 3.5 to 6.2 tons within a short span of five to six years. In this country, 15 million hectares or about 50% of the area is cultivated with hybrid rice.

In Pakistan, the national yield per hectare is 2.387 tons (about 24 maunds per acre), which is one of the lowest in the world.

The spokesperson said Irri-6 rice variety of the Philippines, which was introduced in the country more than 40 years ago, has now almost lost its attraction.

Public sector institutes like the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku or Rice Research Institute, Dokri had failed to develop new and popular rice varieties in the last many decades, therefore, the private sector should be encouraged to bring new rice technology, especially hybrid rice, the spokesperson suggested.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2012.