Punjab University, Pesticon Seeds Sign Agreement to Commercialize New Hybrid Rice Variety

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: University of the Punjab has signed a commercialization agreement with Pesticon Seeds for the large-scale production and marketing of a newly developed hybrid rice seed created in collaboration with Wuhan University, China.
The hybrid rice variety, named PU-786, is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity, with an estimated yield of 140 maunds per acre, nearly three times higher than the current average production in Pakistan. Experts believe the development could bring a major transformation to the country’s rice production and export sector.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held at the Vice Chancellor’s Office of Punjab University between the university’s Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics and Pesticon Seeds. The event was attended by senior officials, including Khalid Mahmood, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, and Muhammad Shahid, Chief Executive Officer of Pesticon Group, along with faculty members and representatives of the company.
Under the agreement, Pesticon Seeds will receive exclusive rights to market and sell the hybrid rice variety PU-786 in Pakistan. The company will also be responsible for sales, marketing, regulatory approvals, and seed certification processes. Punjab University will receive royalties based on the commercial sales of the new variety.
According to Muhammad Ashfaq, Chairman of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Punjab University, the hybrid rice was successfully tested in multiple cities across all four provinces of Pakistan. He said the variety is the result of ten years of scientific research and experimentation and has been officially registered under the name PU-786.
Scientists say the hybrid rice demonstrates strong resistance to bacterial diseases, along with tolerance to extreme heat and harmful pests, making it suitable for Pakistan’s diverse climatic conditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor of Punjab University, described the new hybrid rice as a potential “revolution” for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. He said the project would further strengthen research collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese universities while helping farmers increase productivity and improve export potential.
The research project involved scientists from both institutions, including Prof Dr Muhammad Ashfaq and Dr Muhammad Ali Klasra from Punjab University, as well as Prof Renshan Zhu, Dr Xianting Wu, and other researchers from Wuhan University.
Following the completion of technical procedures, the new hybrid rice variety received approval from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, paving the way for its commercialization across the country.