Lahore( Zahid Chughtai ) Zhao Shiren, Chinese Consul General Wednesday said China will continue its support and cooperation in conducting modern joint research for evolving the best quality more new varieties of high-yield hybrid rice seed for a bumper crop. It was stated by him during his visit to the head office of Guard Agricultural Research and Services here today. Talking to Chairman Pakistan Hi Tech Hybrid Seed Association and CEO Shahzad Ali Malik Sitar-I-Imtiaz and senior executive Momin Ali Malik, Zhao stressed the need for further strengthening the cooperation in the agriculture sector and entering into more Joint ventures for research on modern scientific lines to boost yield per acre in Pakistan.He said Pakistan must take advantage of agricultural achievements made by Chinese private sector.He said there is vast scope of investment in the agricultural sector.He said China is proud that Guard Agricultural Research and Services evolved first ever hibrid rice seed with the collaboration and joint ventures of Chinese counterpart Longping Hi Tech Industry. Speaking on the occasion Shahzad Ali Malik said Guard Agricultural Research and Services is the pioneer in introducing hybrid coarse rice seed in Pakistan that developed a new ‘Extra long grain super hybrid rice’ heat tolerant seed with double per acre yield and length after cooking as compared to competitor existing varieties. Momin Ali Malik, Senior Executive said that Guard Agricultural Research is working to bring such seeds to market which can ensure prosperity for the growers and food security for the country’s ever-increasing population. He said they partnered with their Chinese counterparts in 1998 and since then they are putting in efforts to bring high-yielding varieties and have tolerance against climate change as well. He claimed that the new variety can produce more than 100 maunds per acre provided taken good care of it. Final data is being completed as harvesting is still underway at different places, Momin added.
