Breakthrough promises triple yield and stronger crop resilience
In a landmark advancement for Pakistan’s agricultural sector, the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Punjab University has successfully developed a new hybrid rice seed, poised to revolutionize rice cultivation in the country.
This scientific achievement, made possible through a collaborative research initiative with Wuhan University in China, introduces Pakistan’s first-ever Honglian-type hybrid rice seed, uniquely designed for local climates and farming practices.
According to Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Chairman of the department, the new variety has demonstrated the potential to boost yields up to 140 maunds per acre—a threefold increase over traditional rice varieties currently used in the country.
The hybrid rice underwent rigorous field trials in multiple regions across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan before receiving formal approval from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) for commercial cultivation.
One of the seed’s standout features is its resilience. It shows high resistance to bacterial blight, pest attacks, and heat stress—key concerns in the face of climate volatility and extreme weather.
In addition to this variety, seven other hybrid rice seeds have also received approval for market release, signaling a strategic shift toward sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.
Dr. Ashfaq emphasized that this is not just a technological milestone but also a step toward ensuring food security and improving the livelihood of farmers. The success also strengthens Pakistan’s agricultural ties with China, which continue to bear fruit through such cooperative ventures.
