ISLAMABAD: National Coordinator on Rice Crop of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has presented the working papers of all the sixteen proposals of rice hybrids for the recommendation to the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department.

The proposals were presented in the meeting of the Variety Evaluation Committee on Rice, which was held here Wednesday in order to improve the rice seed business and promote the production of crop in the country.

Presiding over the variety evaluation committee meeting, Member Plant Sciences Division, PARC Dr. Muhammad Anjum Ali, emphasized the role of quality seed for the productivity and profitability of farmers and appreciated the role of seed companies for making efforts to improve the potential of rice hybrids in Pakistan.

Members of Variety Evaluation Committee also appreciated the role of private seed companies for taking interest in rice research and development and working in close collaboration with public sector for enhancing the rice output in the country.

Under the provision of Seed Rules 2016, the standard operating procedures for the management of National Uniform Yield Trials and related business were also presented in the meeting, besides the it also reviewed the standards for evaluation of rice hybrids for evaluating the hybrids varieties of rice for the coming crop.

Representatives of seed companies appreciated the role of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council for devising a transparent procedure and setting the new bench marks for testing of rice hybrids in the country for the benefits of farmers as well as rice sector.

Among others, the meeting was attended by technical members of the committee from National Agriculture Research System of the country including rice breeders, agronomists, entomologists, pathologists, seed experts, policy-makers, private seed companies' representatives and provincial seed cooperation representatives.