Pakistan has struck an unprecedented deal with Philippines
for the export of hybrid rice seed to the Southeast Asian nation, an industry
official said on Thursday.
for the export of hybrid rice seed to the Southeast Asian nation, an industry
official said on Thursday.
“Philippines has
decided to import hybrid rice seed from Pakistan because the crop raised form
this variety is less labor intensive compared to Irri, which is currently being cultivated in the
Southeast Asian country,” Shahrukh Malik, executive at Guard Agricultural
Research & Services told journalists in a media briefing.
decided to import hybrid rice seed from Pakistan because the crop raised form
this variety is less labor intensive compared to Irri, which is currently being cultivated in the
Southeast Asian country,” Shahrukh Malik, executive at Guard Agricultural
Research & Services told journalists in a media briefing.
“For the first time in the history of the country,
domestically developed hybrid seed will be traded to a foreign country.
Philippines needs the seed for 2018 crop and we have already increased the
production area to 900 acres to meet the demand.”
domestically developed hybrid seed will be traded to a foreign country.
Philippines needs the seed for 2018 crop and we have already increased the
production area to 900 acres to meet the demand.”
He informed the journalists that Philippines have over
137,000 varieties of Irri but being a labor intensive crop, the archipelago in
the southwestern Pacific is looking for a hybrid variety. “The climate in which
hybrid rice seeds are bred in Sindh is similar to that of Philippines. Their
experts assayed the procedure of seed production thoroughly at our farms before
cutting a deal with us,” Malik disclosed.
137,000 varieties of Irri but being a labor intensive crop, the archipelago in
the southwestern Pacific is looking for a hybrid variety. “The climate in which
hybrid rice seeds are bred in Sindh is similar to that of Philippines. Their
experts assayed the procedure of seed production thoroughly at our farms before
cutting a deal with us,” Malik disclosed.
The Guard rice research executive observed the export of
hybrid rice seed will be a milestone in the country’s rice sector and will open
new opportunities in the international market apart from giving local research
and development a fresh impetus.
hybrid rice seed will be a milestone in the country’s rice sector and will open
new opportunities in the international market apart from giving local research
and development a fresh impetus.
“We have also developed a basmati hybrid seed. The field
trials are already underway. It’s expected to be commercially available by
2018,” he said. Replying to a question,
he said unfortunately lack of public private sector partnership is hindering
the progress of seed development in Pakistan.
trials are already underway. It’s expected to be commercially available by
2018,” he said. Replying to a question,
he said unfortunately lack of public private sector partnership is hindering
the progress of seed development in Pakistan.
“Public sector has its own inherited problems, while the
private sector conducts research with commercial result-oriented focus. Thus
the pace of private sector is fast compared to the public,” Malik said.
private sector conducts research with commercial result-oriented focus. Thus
the pace of private sector is fast compared to the public,” Malik said.
He continued that there’s a yawning trust deficit between
the public and private sector researchers and it needs to end through
coordinative initiatives. “Due to this deficit, the authorities take too long
to green-signal a newly developed seed for commercial launch, hurting private
sector growth,” he asserted.
the public and private sector researchers and it needs to end through
coordinative initiatives. “Due to this deficit, the authorities take too long
to green-signal a newly developed seed for commercial launch, hurting private
sector growth,” he asserted.
Moving forward, he explained that at least 45 companies are
importing hybrid seeds, including the top five firms of the world, but none of
them is producing hybrid seeds in Pakistan, which is an obstacle in the
transfer of technology to the country.
importing hybrid seeds, including the top five firms of the world, but none of
them is producing hybrid seeds in Pakistan, which is an obstacle in the
transfer of technology to the country.
“The government shall bind those companies to produce at
least 20 percent of the total quantity of imported seeds in Pakistan,” he
suggested adding it will revolutionise the seed development and agriculture
sector.
least 20 percent of the total quantity of imported seeds in Pakistan,” he
suggested adding it will revolutionise the seed development and agriculture
sector.
Summarizing the growth of the hybrid rice in Pakistan, Malik
told the media that during 2008-09, area under Irri cultivation was 560,000
hectares but reduced to 423,000 hectares in 2014-15, while area under hybrid
cultivation was only 84000 hectares, which increased to 302000 hectares in
2014-15.
told the media that during 2008-09, area under Irri cultivation was 560,000
hectares but reduced to 423,000 hectares in 2014-15, while area under hybrid
cultivation was only 84000 hectares, which increased to 302000 hectares in
2014-15.
“Similarly, in 2008-09, Irri production was recorded at
19,49,000 tons but it decreased to 11,61,000 tons in 2014-15, while hybrid rice
production, which stood at 4,54,000 tons in 2008-09, jumped to 14,16,000 tons
during 2014-15,” he added.
19,49,000 tons but it decreased to 11,61,000 tons in 2014-15, while hybrid rice
production, which stood at 4,54,000 tons in 2008-09, jumped to 14,16,000 tons
during 2014-15,” he added.
Continuing his talk, he said the aforementioned numbers also
reflected in the exports as total quantity of the basmati rice sold overseas
stood at 11,37,943 tons in 2010-11 but reduced to 676630 in 2014-15, while
non-basmati export, which was logged at 25,63,664 in 2010-11, increased to
3054680 tons in 2014-15.
reflected in the exports as total quantity of the basmati rice sold overseas
stood at 11,37,943 tons in 2010-11 but reduced to 676630 in 2014-15, while
non-basmati export, which was logged at 25,63,664 in 2010-11, increased to
3054680 tons in 2014-15.
“A substantial increase in hybrid production and exports of
non-basmati rice export is encouraging for the sector,” Malik said.
non-basmati rice export is encouraging for the sector,” Malik said.
Source: The News
