Rice growers advised to use certified approved seed varieties

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd May, 2026) The agriculture experts have advised the rice growers to use certified seed of approved varieties to achieve higher per-acre yield and maintain quality of rice for export markets.

A spokesman for Agriculture (Extension) Department said here on Friday that the farmers cultivating coarse rice varieties should sow nursery of approved varieties including KS-282, NIAB Ari-9, Ari-6, KSK-133, KSK-434, NIAB-2013, NIBGE-5, NIAB-ST-9, NIAB-RC-195 and KSK-706 from May 20 to June 07.

He said that the recommended sowing period for NIBGE-GSR-6, NIBGE-GSR-7, NIBGE-GSR-8 and SKC-370-5-32 was from June 10 to June 25.

He further said that nursery sowing of fine and basmati rice varieties including Al-Khalid Rice should be completed from May 25 to June 10.

He said that recommended sowing period for Vital, Super Basmati, Sona Super Basmati, NIAB-S-39, NIAB-HTT-18, Guard-101, PK-2021 Aromatic, NIAB Super, NBR-2, NIBGE Basmati-2020, Super Gold, Super Basmati-2019, Basmati-515, Basmati Super, Chenab Basmati, Punjab Basmati, PK-1121 Aromatic, NIAB Basmati-2016, Noor Basmati, PK-386 and Sultan Super Basmati was from June 07 to June 25.

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He said that farmers should complete cultivation of Kissan Basmati from June 10 to June 30 while hybrid basmati variety KSK-111-H should be cultivated from June 07 to June 25.

He said that sowing of recommended coarse hybrid rice varieties should be completed between May 20 and June 15.

He strongly advised the farmers not to cultivate unapproved and banned rice varieties. Such varieties produced low-quality rice and caused mixing issues in export consignments, resulting in lower prices in international markets, he added.

He also urged the farmers to strictly follow the recommendations of Punjab Agriculture Department to improve rice productivity, maintain export quality standards and secure better financial returns.