ISLAMABAD (February 15 2004): A meeting of the Rice Advisory Board was held in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock under the chairmanship of Sindh Minister for Agriculture on Saturday.

The meeting was briefed on problems confronted by the rice exporters for the European Union market.

The meeting discussed and considered various proposals to bring improvements in rice production and quality. It also discussed availability of quality seed to the growers.

It suggested improving plant population in rice fields. The meeting was told that export of basmati rice to Middle East was improving. It was also told that parboiled rice plant should be encouraged to fetch more share of parboiled rice in Saudi Arabian market.

It recommended that cultivation of 'DR.98', a fine grain variety, may be discouraged in Sindh and 'PK.386' in Punjab. The board suggested visits of growers to countries having higher yield.

It suggested that extension services of Rice Research Institute be strengthened. The meeting was told that the country was self-sufficient in rice and produces about 4.8 million tons of rice out of which 50 percent was available for export.

It recommended that hybrid seed production in Sindh may be included in annual development programme and technical manpower for these programs may be made available.

Availability of agriculture loans to the farmer community was discussed and it was noted that it should be made available on priority basis.

Courtesy Business Recorder