Pakistan, China jointly develop high-yield hybrid rice
Punjab University (PU) and Wuhan University have jointly developed Pakistan’s first Honglian-type hybrid rice variety, PU786. Capable of yielding up to 140 maunds per acre, the high-yield, disease-resistant rice aims to boost food security and exports. The project marks a major milestone in Pak-China agricultural collaboration.
In a groundbreaking agricultural achievement, Punjab University (PU) in Pakistan and Wuhan University in China have jointly developed a new high-yield hybrid rice variety, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s agricultural research sector.
According to PU officials, the new hybrid rice seed — the first Honglian-type hybrid developed in Pakistan — is capable of producing up to 140 maunds per acre, nearly three times the current average yield. The variety has been registered under the name PU786.
The collaborative project, which spans over a decade of intensive research and field trials, involved scientists from both institutions. From Punjab University, the team included Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq and Dr. Muhammad Ali Klasra, both from the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics. The Chinese side was led by Prof. Renshan Zhu, along with Dr. Xianting Wu and Xu, representing Wuhan University.
The new hybrid rice has successfully passed technical evaluations and received official approval from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). Field trials were conducted across various cities in all four provinces of Pakistan, confirming the hybrid’s adaptability and high yield potential in local conditions.
According to Dr. Ashfaq, the PU786 hybrid rice is not only high-yielding but also resistant to bacterial diseases, extreme heat, and common pests, making it highly suitable for Pakistan’s changing climate and agricultural challenges.
Punjab University’s Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Muhammad Ali, hailed the development as a revolutionary step for the agriculture sector in Pakistan. He emphasized that such innovations will significantly boost rice production at the national level, enhance food security, and increase exports of Pakistani rice to the international market.
He further highlighted that the PU-Wuhan University collaboration sets a new benchmark for joint research initiatives between Pakistani and Chinese academic institutions, contributing not only to scientific progress but also to economic upliftment of the farming community.
“The real purpose of universities is to serve the country, the nation, and the industry,” stated Dr. Muhammad Ali. “This new hybrid rice is a step in that direction — benefiting common farmers, enriching nutritional value for citizens, and strengthening our position in the global agricultural economy.”
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Source : Minute Mirror
