The Punjab Seed Council has officially approved two new basmati rice varieties, promising a 50% increase in yield compared to currently cultivated types. These new varieties are expected to produce between 60 and 65 maunds per acre, significantly improving the current average yield of 40-45 maunds per acre.

At the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, Shahzad Ali Malik, the Founder Chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), stated that this enhanced production capability could lead to a surplus, boosting export earnings from $4 billion this year to an estimated $10 billion by 2030.

He expressed optimism that the new rice varieties would help counter the growing presence of hybrid coarse varieties, which have already claimed up to 15% of the basmati-producing land in central Punjab.

During the AGM, Malik Faisal Jahangir was appointed the new REAP chairman for the 2024-2026 term, succeeding Chela Ram Kewlani. Jahangir committed to achieving a rice export target of over $5 billion within the next year, signaling a strong push for Pakistan’s rice industry’s growth.

Published Date: October 2, 2024