China’s pivotal role in replicating highly successful experience of hybrid rice in Pakistan highlighted

Gwadar Pro

Lahore: Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik this week highlighted China’s pivotal role in replicating the decades-long highly successful experience of hybrid rice in Pakistan.

He emphasized the immense potential of hybrid seeds in achieving import substitution and fostering surplus production for export in various crops, including cotton, wheat, edible oil, and pulses.

Speaking to journalists here, Shahzad Ali Malik emphasized that hybrid seeds have the potential to revolutionize Pakistan’s agricultural economy.

He noted that hybrid rice has proven its effectiveness in significantly increasing yields per acre compared to traditional rice varieties.

By employing similar methodologies and technologies in other crops, Pakistan could witness a substantial reduction in its reliance on imported agricultural products, leading to significant cost savings and economic benefits.In the context of cotton, he explained that adopting hybrid varieties could result in higher yields per hectare, reducing the need for imports and potentially creating a surplus for export.

Considering Pakistan’s position as one of the world’s largest cotton producers, such a shift could have a considerable impact on the country’s economy.

Malik pointed out that introducing hybrid wheat varieties could enhance productivity and quality, reducing reliance on imported wheat and potentially positioning Pakistan as a net exporter of wheat.

He also highlighted the potential of hybrid varieties in edible oil crops such as soybean or sunflower, which could bolster domestic production, thereby reducing the need for importing costly edible oils. This, in turn, would save foreign exchange and enhance food security within the country.Regarding pulses, Shahzad Ali Malik stated that investing in hybrid varieties could address the chronic shortage of pulses in Pakistan, often leading to imports to meet domestic demand.

“By increasing domestic production through hybrid varieties, Pakistan can reduce its dependence on imports and potentially become a surplus producer for export,” he added.

He emphasized that this strategic shift towards hybrid varieties would not only ensure food security and self-sufficiency but also create opportunities for exporting surplus production, thereby boosting the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole. The collaboration with China in harnessing hybrid seed technology marks a significant step towards achieving these goals, he maintained.