Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku

Work on varietal improvement in rice started in 1926 in an area called Kallar Tract with the establishment of Rice Farm at Kala Shah Kaku in the famous rice bowl called “Kalar tract” of the Punjab. Rice Farm was elevated to the level of Rice Research Station in 1965 and later on upgraded to the status of full-fledged Rice Research Institute during 1970 with eight research disciplines i.e., Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Soil Chemistry, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Engineering, Rice Technology and Economics & Statistics. Up till now, this institute being the pioneer globally in developing delicious and aromatic basmati rice (Basmati 370) introduced 33 rice varieties.

Mission

Improved and diversified rice varieties using conventional and modern breeding approaches under different biotic/ abiotic stresses for sustainable rice production under climate change scenario

Objectives

• Development of high yielding, early maturing, fine and coarse grain varieties of rice that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Devising production technology for transplanted and direct seed rice (DSR).
• Production of pre basic seed.
• Addressing value chain issues for their sustainable solution.
• Advisory services to the stakeholders

Research Activities

Following are the research activities of the institute:

• Development of high-yielding, early-maturing, fine and coarse rice varieties for irrigated and direct-seeded rice (DSR) systems, incorporating resistance to biotic stresses (BLB, brown planthopper (BPH), and rice leaffolder) and abiotic stresses (salinity and submergence), along with good cooking quality.
• Exploiting heterosis for yield and income enhancement of rice farmers.
• Development of rice production through resource saving, eco-friendly technologies and striving for farming excellence on sustainable basis.
• Integrated weed, pest and disease management in rice.
• Study/ monitor responses of lines/ varieties against different insect pests and diseases.
• Maximization of crop and water productivity through improved water saving techniques and management interventions
• Evaluation of quality features of rice grains.

Achievements

Following are the research achievements of the institute:

• Being the pioneer in developing extra- long, delicious and aromatic rice (Basmati 370), up till now, developed and released 34 rice varieties for general cultivation.
• Developed Sultan Super Basmati and KSK 706 during 2025.
• Developed Sona Super Basmati (longest ever grain i.e., 9.5mm), Vital Super Basmati (Country’s first fortified rice with Fe & Zn) and high yielding coarse variety; KSK 2023) during 2023.
• Developed country’s first basmati hybrid- KSK 111H which was approved for general cultivation in 28th January, 2021.
• The per acre yield potential of fine varieties increased from 30 (Basmati 370) to 115 maunds (KSK 111H) and similarly in case of coarse varieties from 100 (IR 6) to 110 maunds (KSK 133 & KSK 2023). This increase in yield has ultimately uplifted the socio-economic status of the farming community on one-hand and foreign exchange earnings on the other (maunds= 40 Kg).
• Crop maturity period after transplanting in fine varieties decreased from 130 (Basmati 198) to 94 days (Kissan Basmati) and 111 (KSK 434) to 100 days (KS 282) in coarse varieties. This all together changed the crop rotation (rice- wheat- rice) increasing the crop diversification for sustainable agriculture.
• Short stature of rice varieties was attained to mitigate the crop lodging resultantly in fine rice plant height dropped to 98 (Kissan Basmati) from 170cm (Basmati 370) and 105 (IR 6) from 115cm (KS 282).
• As per market demand, average grain length in fine rice has been increased upto 9.50mm (Sona Super Basmati) as compared to 6.50 (Basmati 198) and 7.07 (KSK 133) from 6.69 (IR 6) in coarse varieties.
• Parboiling techniques have been standardized to check the inconsistent production of parboiled rice such as colour variation, off- odour and less milling recovery. To address these problems parboiling technology for new lines/ varieties (extra-long grain) is determined for standardization.
• Crop maximization achieved by efficient use of irrigation water by decreasing puddling duration to 3-4 as compared to 30- 40 days. Similarly after transplanting, by maintaining standing water at the level of 1-1.5 inches for 21 days despite 30- 40 days at the level of three inches, conserve the precious irrigation water without affecting the yield.
• During the success story of direct seeding of rice seed through broadcast, the dire need of drill was noted. As rice seed broken in available conventional wheat drills so necessary amendments were suggested to a private firm during 2009 and after necessary field trials first drill was successfully introduced with public private initiative. The DSR drill further improved in 2017 in such a way that now it is able to sow seed at 4-5 inches apart. This technology in addition to saving 15- 20% irrigation water and labour also enables the farmers to achieve the required plant population of 80,000/ acre. As a result farmers get 20- 25% increase in rice yield.
• Mechanical transplanting reduces drudgery on one hand and enables timely transplanting of rice nursery on the other, resulting increase in the production. This method further saves time and farmers can transplant 6- 8 acres/ day. Because of the motivation encouragement and capacity building, mechanized transplanted area now increase day by day owing to public- private initiatives for its expansion.
• Notorious white and yellow stem borers of rice are controlled well owing to the development of short duration rice varieties resulting in onset of Rice-Wheat- Rice crop rotation that destroyed their overwintering larval population during cultural practices for wheat.
• Introgression of BLB resistant genes in present (Basmati Gold) and promising varieties will not only decrease per acre cost but also helps in harvesting pesticide residue free produce.
• Avoided injudicious use of pesticides by devising integrated pest, disease and weed management strategies ensuring pesticide residue free rice production.
• Use of nitrogen (split application as a basal, 30- 35 DAS and 45- 50 DAS), potash, phosphorous, zinc sulphate and boron increase the crop profitability.
• By using rice combine harvester, generally problem of crop residue not occurs but wheat combines with necessary alterations for rice, generate problem of rice crop residue which can be minimized by using rice shredder which was developed with technical assistance of the institute from a private firm. Rice shredder cut the rice residues in to 2-3 inch pieces, which can easily be mixed with rotavator or disc plough in the soil and by irrigating the field and application of half bag urea increase the soil fertility.
• After rice harvest, wheat can be successfully grown in standing stubbles or crop residue by using happy seeder drill, which not only mulch the field to save soil moisture but suppresses the weeds on the other, resultantly environment pollution (smog) can be avoided.
• Bran is a bye- product of rice milling and is generally used for poultry feed in the country. It contains 15- 20% nutraceutical oil that is excellent for heart patients. The stabilization techniques were developed to get bran oil for human consumption.
• It is estimated that the area, production and yield increased 578, 1423 and 124 percent, respectively, since inception of Pakistan. Rice is the second important cash crop of the country after cotton covering 11% of total cropped area.
• Rice is responsible to earn more than US$ 2 billion foreign exchange annually. Basmati is premium rice that fetches about US$ 1000 per ton as compared to US$ 450 per ton of coarse rice from international market. The share of Pakistan in total world rice trade is around 9.10% by value.
• The per capita availability of rice increased many fold from 4 to 40Kg.
• The impact of rice research is quite evident from the fact that only one variety of the institute (Super Basmati) adds a benefit of Rs. 20- 30 billion annually to the economy of the Punjab.
• Capacity building of farmers and other stakeholders.
• It is evident that Super Basmati sustains its luster keeping in view its yield. The winner of basmati rice yield competition in the Punjab during 2017-18 harvested 71.34 maunds/ acre Super Basmati by Munir Ahmad from District Kasur.

Initiatives

• Approval of BLB resistant (Super Gold) in 2019; Sona Super Basmati (longest-ever grain, 9.5 mm) and Vital Super Basmati (country's first Fe & Zn-fortified rice) in 2023; and Sultan Super Basmati (record grain length, 9.66 mm), KSK 706 (high-yield coarse rice), and KSK 2025 (fine rice) in 2025.
• Control of brown plant hopper (BPH) in rice through management and resistant lines development
• Management of Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and Sheath Blight diseases of rice through development of resistant varieties and safe chemicals
• Approval of KSK 111H (country's first basmati hybrid) in 2021
• Prepared 2000Kg pre-basic seed of rice during last year

Facilities

Following are the facilities provided by the institute:

Advisory Services Rice Technology Section

Training of Stakeholders

The Rice Technology section focuses on training stakeholders in varietal identification and detection of grain mixing. This year-round program includes 6–8 sessions annually, equipping farmers and millers with the skills to accurately identify rice varieties through physical and visual methods. Varietal identification plays a critical role in ensuring seed purity, maintaining quality standards, and fulfilling market requirements. Through these targeted trainings, the section promotes informed decision-making and strengthens the integrity of the rice value chain.

Advisory Services through Sample Testing:

In addition, the section places strong emphasis on advisory services through sample testing, offering practical support in variety selection and quality assurance. By analyzing rice samples for key quality parameters—such as moisture content, grain purity, protein content, amylose level, and milling recovery—the section provides science-based recommendations to improve processing efficiency and product marketability. This advisory-based approach enables early issue detection, ensures adherence to quality standards, and guides stakeholders toward improved post-harvest practices and varietal management

• Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) Lab to verify and select the presence of genes of interest in parental as well as segregating populations of different recombinants for the development of resistant lines/ varieties through MAS
• Hybrid Lab to study the in vitro requirement of hybrid rice development in the institute. The hybrid rice lab is working for the examining of different traits (Sterility/ fertility) of plants required to increase the yield of rice crop
• Agronomic Lab for identification of problematic weeds and their integrated management
• Gas Chromatograph (GC) Lab is working for quantification of Aroma compounds of different Rice varieties
• Entomological Lab for identification of insect fauna associated with rice ecosystem
• Rice Technology Laboratory performs physiochemical analysis of rice grain for rice breeding material, which is of ISO 17025 Standard. The laboratory achieved its accreditation from Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) in 2018
• Milling Lab is working for preparation of white rice from harvested dried paddy following standard operating procedures developed by IRRI, Philippine
• Gas Chromatograph (GC) Lab is working for quantification of Aroma compounds of different Rice varieties
• Experimental farm comprising of 85 acres cultivated area.

Allied Station

Overview 

Rice Research Station, Bahawalnagar has been established with the state of art building, residences, hostel, implement shed, store etc., and inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 22.10.2012.

Research Activities

• Development of extra-long grain rice varieties for southern Punjab
• Provision of Pure and Quality Rice Seed of high yielding varieties (KSK 434, IRRI 9, Basmati 2000, Super Basmati, Basmati 515, PK 1121 Aromatic)
• Soil and water analysis for farmers (Free of Cost)
• Motivation towards Direct Seeding of Rice
• Production Technology Guidance: Rice Field Visits & Seminars, Video sharing
• Training to Purchasers/Traders of Paddy and Rice Processing Personals
• Provision of parboiling technology of each variety
• Consultancy services (e.g., Reduction of Broken %) by visiting rice millers
• Awareness Seminars/Conferences on modern rice processing technology

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