Islamabad, Oct 2: Punjab’s New Basmati Rice Varieties Aim to Enhance Production
The Punjab Seed Council has officially approved two new basmati rice varieties that promise to increase yields by 50% compared to those currently cultivated.
These new varieties are projected to produce between 60 and 65 maunds per acre, significantly higher than the current average of 40-45 maunds per acre.
At the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, Shahzad Ali Malik, Founder Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), noted that this enhanced production capacity could create a surplus, potentially raising export earnings from $4 billion this year to an estimated $10 billion by 2030.
He expressed confidence that the new rice varieties would help combat the rising prevalence of hybrid coarse varieties, which have already taken up to 15% of the basmati-producing land in central Punjab.
During the AGM, Malik Faisal Jahangir was elected as the new REAP chairman for the 2024-2026 term, taking over from Chela Ram Kewlani.
Jahangir pledged to achieve a rice export target exceeding $5 billion within the next year, indicating a strong commitment to the growth of Pakistan’s rice industry.
