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| System to enhance rice output developed |
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
By our correspondent
LAHORE: A Mechanised System of Rice Intensification (MSRI) has been developed by the private sector which has led to 50 per cent water efficiency gains, 20 per cent per acre cost savings in inputs and a minimum of 60 per cent increase in yield per acre.
A spokesman for the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) on Tuesday while giving details in this regard said PBIT developed liaison with the private technology developers in the agriculture sector who have achieved good results in intensive rice cultivation through a package of input technology, mechanisation and best crop management practices.
The PBIT in pursuit of its mandate to attract investment and promote trade in Punjab is also engaged in identifying new technologies, inventions and innovations in various economic sectors to boost production and stimulate investment for commercialisation of these technological innovations.
The effort is to bridge the gap between research and development and the up scaling of proven technologies so that higher production, efficiency gains and cost-savings could be achieved in the competitive market environment.
The PBIT spokesman said that promoting technological innovation in agriculture would transform subsistence production system to commercial agriculture and induce investment at the value chain level thus benefiting subsistence farmers, progressive farmers and agro-industry in Punjab.
He said that the hall mark of the innovation is the development of multiple function agriculture machinery which will help the farmers in securing vertical productivity increase through better land preparation, nursery plantation and fertilization.
The MSRI technology is guided by motto ‘more from less’. The process needs less quantity of rice seed due to plastic mulching - only four pounds of seed are sufficient instead of 10 to 16 lbs used in conventional rice growing practice.
He mentioned the huge opportunities for investment are available in the field of agriculture and as such PBIT is endeavouring to act as a catalyst and proactive facilitator to fully harness this potential for the ultimate benefit of the farmers and agro-industrialists.
A comprehensive plan of action, involving all stakeholders, has been chalked out by PBIT for implementation and investors and business ventures are being encouraged to initiate new projects in Punjab, he added.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
