Pakistan has completed a six-year rice productivity enhancement project in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, introducing modern farm machinery, water-saving technologies and improved rice varieties to help narrow the gap between actual and potential yields.
Pakistan completes six-year rice productivity enhancement project
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Pakistan has completed a six-year rice productivity enhancement project in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, introducing modern farm machinery, water-saving technologies and improved rice varieties to help narrow the gap between actual and potential yields.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the government adopted an integrated approach focused on modern technology, research and development, improved access to quality inputs and farmer capacity building. The measures were taken under the mega PSDP project titled “Productivity Enhancement of Rice” for the period 2019-2025.
The key interventions under the project included promoting farm mechanisation through laser land levellers, mechanical rice transplanters and combine harvesters. These were provided on a 50% cost-sharing basis to encourage farmers to adopt modern rice production methods and improve field efficiency.
According to the document, smart agriculture practices were promoted under the rice productivity programme. These included precision farming, Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to improve crop management and enhance productivity.
The programme also promoted the development and introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties through advanced research initiatives aimed at improving productivity and resilience.
Water management was another major area of intervention. Improved water-use practices were promoted through alternate wetting and drying, drip irrigation and solarisation of tube wells. These measures are important for improving production efficiency, especially in a crop where water management plays a central role.
The government also focused on the development and introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant and climate-resilient rice varieties through advanced research initiatives.
The project also strengthened international collaboration, with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and China supporting technology transfer and the adoption of modern rice production practices in Pakistan.
