RICE

Pakistan being on agro-based economy has natural abundance of all agricultural products including food items. Rice is the third largest crop after wheat and cotton. It is grown over 10% the total cropped area. Rice is highly valued cash crop and is also major export item. It accounts for 6.7% in value added in agriculture and 1.6% in GDP. Pakistan grows enough high quality rice to meet both domestic demand and allow for exports of around one million ton per annum.

Different varieties of rice are grown in Pakistan for example Super Basmati, Basmati PK-385, Irri-6, Irri-9 and KS-282 etc. Pakistan is primarily known for its aromatic rice (SUPER BASMATI/BASMATI PK-385). Two varieties of rice dominate the market. Basmati, which is mainly grown in Punjab and Irri, which is mainly grown in Punjab and Sindh. Basmati accounts for 2% of exports and is of a higher quality than Irri. 

In 1987-88 the government allowed rice export also by the private sector. Before this, the Rice Export Corporation of Pakistan (RECP) was exclusively handling rice export of Pakistan.

The following are some varieties, which are being cultivated in Pakistan. Some of them are unapproved and banned varieties:-

RICE SHAHEEN BASMATI

• Its grain is straight and same in length as Basmati Super.

• It has slight curve at the tip of the grain.

• Its grain has no center core.

• The colour of the grain is dull white.

• The grain has white spot because of early sewing.

• Its cooking quality is not better than Super Basmati.

RICE BASMATI 2000 

• The grain of Basmati 2000 resembles with the Super Basmati but it is thicker then Super Basmati.

• Its tip is clearer.

• The grain n not of standard size but some are short in length.

• Short grain resembles Basmati-385 but the colour is dull white.

• Some grains have centre core.

• The grains of the variety are thicker ever after cooking.

• It has aroma.

• The grains of this variety resemble with Kernel Basmati, but the grains are straight.

• The grain does not have chalkiness.

• This variety is still under consideration for approval by the Govt. of Pakistan.

• The grains are extra long and cylindrical.

RICE SUPER BASMATI 

• This variety of rice is also extra long grain and straight but some grains do have curve at the tip on the lower side.

• It has a curve at the tip or the uppers id4e of the grain.

• Its grains have center core.

• It is an aromatic variety.

• Some of the grains are translucent.

• Its cooking quality is very good.

RICE BASMATI  KERNEL (6129) 

• This variety of rice resembles with Basmati – 370 but its grains are a bit lengthy.

• The grains are straight but have curve on the upper side of the grain.

• The grains have also center core and also some grains are translucent.

• Its milling recovery is good and cooking quality is very good.

RICE BASMATI 385

• Rice Basmati was introduced in 1985, therefore it is known as Basmati-385.

• Its grain is little lengthy as compared to Basmati-370.

• It has curve on the lower side of the grain.

• Its tip is sharp than Basmati-370.

• Some grains have center core, which is much visible.

• It has aroma.

• Some grains are translucent but its tip is sharp.

• Chalkiness can be seen because of early sowing but the shape of grains will not change.

RICE BASMATI 370

• This variety of rice is known as 370.

• Its grains are like round and thin.

• The grains are always uniformed.

• Its grain has little curve at the tip of the lower side.

• It has aroma and its cooking is very good.

• The grains have center, some grains are without center core but the shape of grain is the same.

• Its milling recovery is good.

• Its grain length is about 6.90 m. m.

RICE BASMATI -198

• This variety of Rice was introduced in 1972 by Rice Research Institute Kola Shah Kakoo with the help of International Rice Research Institute Philippine.

• Its grain resemble with Basmati-370 and shape and length is same as Basmati-370.

• It has curve on the upper side a little inside of the germination point to the tip.

• Its grain has also two curves.

• Most to the grains are translucent.

• Some grains have center core.

• It has aroma also.

• Its cooking is good.

• Its milling recovery is also good.

RICE PK -386

• Its grain is a little thinner and a bit longer than Basmati-370.

• Near the tip there is an inside curve under the grain and on the upper side a little short of germination point there is inside curve.

• Its tip is sharper than all other Basmati varieties.

• Its grain is translucent.

• There is no center core.

• It has no smell.

• This is non Basmati variety.

SUPER FINE RICE 

• Its grain resemble with Super Basmati and some grains are little rounded.

• Its grain is a bit thinner for the upper position and have some curve in the middle.

• There is no center core in its grain.

• It will give some taste when it is chewed.

• Its grain is dry and bit longer than Super Basmati.

• Its grains are translucent.

• Its milling recovery is not so good.

• It is also non Basmati Rice.

IRRI-8 

• Its grain is small and fat.

• Its each grain has white spot.

• This rice grain is straight and its tip is round.

• This variety of rice is thicker than all other varieties.

• Its cooking quality is very week.

• It has also no aroma.

RICE KS-282 

• This variety was officially approved by the Govt. of Pakistan in 1982 for cultivation.

• Its grain almost resemble Irri-6.

• Its grains are translucent.

• Its has no center core but it is difference from Irri-6.

• It has some curve on the bottom side.

• Its upper side keep length and slight tip in seem.

• Its tip is not so sharp.

• It has no aroma.

• Its cooling quality is better than Irri-6.

RICE IRRI-9

• Its grain is thin and long than Irri-6.

• His course variety of rice has been introduced by Agriculture Institute Faisalabad in 1999.

• Its grain is straight and long.

• Like Irri-6 it has white sport on the upper side in the middle of the grain.

• It has no tip and it is round at the end.

• It has no smell.

• The white spot is smaller than Irri-6 and some of the grains merely have white spot, there is also a curve at the white spot in the middle of the grain.

RICE IRRI-6

• This variety of rice was introduced by the Rice Research Institute (Kala Shah Kakoo) in co-operation with International Rice Research Institute (Philippine) which was approved by Govt. of Pakistan in 1970.

• This variety of rice is thicker and a little bit smaller than Basmati-370.

• Its grain is straight.

• It was no tip.

• On the upper part of the grain there is a white spot.

• Its tip is round.

• It has no aroma.

• Its cooking is average cooking.

• Its milling recovery is good.