Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 3, China’s Honglian hybrid rice has achieved significant progress in Pakistan, with three varieties—H13, H14, and H15—recording yields of 11.3 tons per hectare, 12.3 tons per hectare, and 10.8 tons per hectare respectively. Among these, H14 demonstrated exceptional performance due to its large panicles and high grain count, producing yields over 12% higher than Pakistan’s main local varieties. Prof. Zhu Renshan, Director of the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center for Honglian Hybrid Rice, highlighted these results as evidence of the technology’s adaptability to Pakistan’s agricultural conditions.
On October 13, Xu Zhiyong, a member of Prof. Zhu’s research team, visited demonstration bases in Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, and Vehari, where he met with representatives from the University of Punjab and several prominent agricultural enterprises. The visits aimed to evaluate crop performance and strengthen cooperation on the application of Honglian hybrid rice technologies in local production.
On October 19, the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center for Honglian Hybrid Rice organized an on-site meeting in Vehari to promote innovative technologies related to Honglian hybrid rice. More than 200 participants attended the event, including farmers, distributors, and agricultural experts from Punjab and Sindh. The meeting focused on showcasing cultivation techniques, discussing hybrid rice adaptability, and sharing best practices for large-scale promotion.
Honglian hybrid rice is a proprietary scientific achievement developed by Wuhan University. Its demonstration and promotion in Pakistan have been ongoing for more than 20 years, contributing to agricultural cooperation between the two countries. In 2020, the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center for Honglian Hybrid Rice was jointly founded by Wuhan University, the Hubei Association for Science and Technology, and the University of Punjab. The establishment of the center has provided a platform for joint research, technical exchange, and the practical application of hybrid rice technologies.
Over the past five years, the center has developed experimental and demonstration bases covering more than 30 acres across Pakistan. It has also conducted five technical training sessions, benefiting over 300 Pakistani farmers, technicians, distributors, and government officials. In addition, three international seminars have been organized to promote cooperative research and development on Honglian hybrid rice, facilitating dialogue between Chinese and Pakistani agricultural experts.
In June 2025, the Honglian HP4 variety received official registration from the Rice Variety Evaluation Committee of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. This milestone marks a new step in the local adaptation and recognition of Honglian hybrid rice in Pakistan’s agricultural sector.
The ongoing collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani institutions continues to enhance rice productivity and agricultural technology exchange, supporting sustainable development and contributing to food security through the practical application of high-yield hybrid rice varieties.
