"Rice is the third major cash crop of Pakistan and contributes to around 13% of the total rice trade in the world," says Dr Arif. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMON
FAISALABAD: The National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) will organise a three-day training workshop on ‘DNA Testing for Basmati Rice Authenticity’ here from January 21 till January 23, 2013.
NIBGE Principal Scientist Dr Muhammad Arif said rice is the third major cash crop of Pakistan and contributes to around 13% of the total rice trade in the world. He said that Basmati rice, in particular, counts for around 30% of total rice export. Super Basmati is renowned for its fragrance, distinctive shape, long grain and top quality, both in raw and cooked state.
In recent years, the hybrid rice has fascinated farmers due to its high yield potential, vigour and low input. It has also helped in increasing the export of Pakistani rice.
Citing a report, he said that Pakistan’s exported rice faces threats because of inferior quality, which fetches lower prices. He said that although hybrid rice seeds undergo purity analysis before they are sold to farmers, the method used is based only on the visual inspection of a sample, which cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.
This problem can be solved by using a DNA-based test, which can precisely measure genetic differences even at 5% level of impurity. In addition, this DNA-based test can help seed companies register their hybrids, he added.
He said that NIBGE has been testing the authenticity of Super Basmati rice since 2004.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2013.
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