Chinese Consul General in Lahore Zhao Shiren has stated that China would continue to work with Pakistan in pursuing cutting-edge collaborative research to develop the best quality new rice varieties with the highest yields for bumper crops. He was speaking with Guard Group Chief Executive Officer Shahzad Ali Malik during his visit to the Guard Agricultural Research and Services head office. Zhao emphasised the necessity of significantly bolstering agricultural sector cooperation and establishing more joint ventures for research along the most advanced scientific lines to increase yield per acre in Pakistan.

He stated that Pakistan must benefit from the agricultural advancements achieved by the Chinese private sector and added that there is a huge potential for investment in the agriculture sector. China, he said, is glad that Guard Agricultural Research and Services developed the first hybrid rice seed ever with the help of its Chinese partner, Longping Hi-Tech Industry. Speaking at the event, Shahzad Ali Malik, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association, said Guard Agricultural Research and Services was the first to introduce hybrid coarse rice seed in Pakistan.

It created a novel heat-tolerant extra long grain super hybrid rice seed with double the per-acre yield and length after cooking, compared to the existing competing kinds, he continued. Guard Group Senior Executive Momin Ali Malik stated that Guard Agricultural Research aims to commercialise seeds that may guarantee more wealth for farmers and food security for the country's ever-growing population. He said that since forming a partnership with their Chinese counterparts in 1998, they have worked hard to develop high-yielding cultivars that are also resistant to climate change. According to him, if good care is taken, the new variety may generate more than four metric tonnes per acre. As harvesting continues in various locations, final data is being finalised, Momin added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk