Chinese and Pakistani scientists have created a novel hybrid rice seed that can triple yield per acre.

Together, researchers from Wuhan University and Punjab University (PU) in China have created a novel hybrid rice variety that will boost crop yields from about 1,600 kg to 5,600 kg per acre.

The new hybrid rice is the first to be grown in Pakistan that is of the Honglian variation.

Prof. Renshan Zhu, Dr. Xianting Wu, Mr. Xu, and other Wuhan University personnel comprised the study team, while Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq and Dr. Muhammad Ali Klasra served as the chairman of PU's Department of Plant Breeding Genetics.

Once the technical evaluations were completed, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council approved the new hybrid rice variety.

Dr. Ashfaq, chairman of the PU Department of Plant Breeding Genetics, reported that numerous localities and four provinces in Pakistan successfully tested the new rice.

He asserted that the new hybrid rice is immune to bacterial illnesses. He stated that the new hybrid rice is resistant to harmful insects and extreme weather conditions. According to Dr. Ashfaq, the new hybrid rice would increase rice production across the country.

As stated by him, the PU VC Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali has been instrumental in advancing the study of novel hybrid rice. Additionally, he thanked Dr. Saleem Haider, the former dean, for his assistance with the study.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, PU VC, claims that the new hybrid rice is a revolution in Pakistan's agricultural sector. According to him, the new hybrid rice will encourage collaborative research initiatives at Pakistani and Chinese colleges.

He claimed that in addition to being resistant to harmful insects and intense heat, the new hybrid rice could also withstand bacterial illnesses. He claimed that it will boost rice production nationally.

Nutritionally, the new hybrid rice will also benefit the general population. The average farmer would benefit, he said, from three times greater output per acre.