Chinese scientists to help Pakistan enhance rice production

LAHORE: Chinese scientists are ready to help Pakistan in increasing rice production, said Dr Wang, head of a delegation of Chinese scientists during their visit to Rice Research Institute at Kala Shah Kaku, on Monday.

Director of the Institute Dr Muhammad Akhtar welcomed the visitors.

Both sides stressed the need for increasing liaison between the Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku and Chinese Long Ping Hi-tech for preparing rice varieties with higher yield.

Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali, a senior official of the Punjab Agriculture Department, suggested promoting hybrid rice varieties to increase per acre yield of paddy.

He said that hybrid varieties will decrease the cost of production of the rice crop and ultimately increase exports.

Delegation will visit all rice producing areas and give recommendations.

It will also visit Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In the next few days, the members will reach Islamabad to prepare their recommendations and present them on Oct 11.

Dr Wang pledged to take every possible step for provision of better quality rice varieties. The delegation will also take into confidence the local farmers and seed companies.