500 tonnes of Chinese hybrid rice seeds arrive Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A total of 500 tonnes of hybrid rice seeds from a seed company in east China's Jiangsu Province have landed in Pakistan to help ensure the country's grain yield this year.

It is estimated that about 33333 hectares of land will be planted with those seeds, reports Gwadar Pro App on Friday. Earlier this year, Jiangsu Hongqi Seed Industry Co., Ltd., an enterprise engaged in wholesale and retail of crop seeds in China, reached an agreement with Pakistani customers to ship hybrid rice seeds after the Spring Festival.

However, affected by the coronavirus epidemic, the seeds could not be processed and packaged as planned. Thanks to the help of the customs of Taizhou city in China's Jiangsu Province, which opened a green channel and streamlined the process, the seeds were finally loaded on a ship and departed for Pakistan.

"If these seeds couldn't be delivered to our customers in time, our business and reputation could be damaged, while the local grain yield in Pakistan could also be affected," said Zha Lianqun, general manager of the company.

Since the end of last year, Pakistan has struggled to combat locust plagues which have destroyed crops and threatened the livelihoods of farmers.