LAHORE (APP)-The government is encouraging the use of hybrid seed to increase production of different crops and it has empowered the federal seed certification department to test quality of seed before allowing its cultivation.

Federal Secretary Food and Agriculture, Zia ur Rehman said while addressing an international seminar on "Hybrid Rice Seed" here on Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui, Chairman Hubei Seed Company China Yuan Guobao, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Fayyaz Bashir, Agriculture experts and large number of farmers attended the seminar.

Federal Secretary said that the use of hybrid seed in developed countries is on the rise and appreciated the cooperation from China with Pakistan in this regard. China is getting almost 250 percent more rice production against that of Pakistan by using hybrid seed while private company Auriga has also achieved 110 mounds per acre rice production on its experimental farms by using hybrid seed, he said.

Pakistan would continue encouragement to private sector in agriculture research, he said adding, rice is among the major crops of the country having a big share in exports, therefore, the government would continue making all out efforts to increase its production.

Punjab is achieving 30 mounds per acre having a total annual production of 3.8 million tones of annual production, which have share of more than one million Basmati rice, said Punjab Agriculture Secretary Fayyaz Bashir. He said that the government was considering the possibilities of 2-3 times increase in rice production. The provincial government would hold seminars and meetings to encourage private sector towards agriculture research and increase production.

He said that Auriga Group's chief Jamshed Cheema is founder of hybrid rice in the country. The secretary appreciated Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) for producing hybrid seed of corn, which he added, is a revolutionary step.

Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said that he has love and great respect for Pakistan specially its farmers and feel pleasure in the presence of such a gathering of farmers.

He said that China wants to provide maximum assistance to Pakistan including technology transfer in hybrid seed. He said that government and private sector cooperation could result in increasing agriculture production many times.

The guests visited rice research centre of Auriga. Auriga Group chairman said that hybrid crop becomes mature within 3 months and added that Auriga would produce seeds of all major crops within next five years.