Rice Research Institute, KSK

The Master Trainers Program on “Sustainable and Pesticide Residue-Free Rice Crop Production Technology, with Special Focus on Management of BPH” was successfully held virtually on 31.03.2026 at RRI, KSK.

The session proved to be highly insightful, offering valuable knowledge and practical perspectives shared by our distinguished speakers:
Dr. Muhammad Ijaz (Principal Scientist), Mr. Amjed Khan (SS Entomology), Mr. Usman Saleem (PS Agronomy), Mr. Nawaz Sajid (PS Pathology), and Mr. Mohsin Ali Raza (SS Food Technology).

Their expertise made the session both informative and inspiring, contributing significantly to the learning experience.

A heartfelt thanks to all participants for their active engagement and thoughtful presence, which truly made the seminar meaningful and impactful.

The Expert Group of Rice Crop held a meeting on January 23, 2026, at the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, chaired by Dr. Muhammad Sabar. Key discussions included raised bed and ridge sowing methods, capacity building for scientists and farmers, water use efficiency, pest and disease management strategies, and collaborative efforts between research, academia, and extension departments. Members emphasized monthly and fortnightly review meetings, compulsory research-linked coursework for students, and joint research trials in regions like Sheikhupura. Innovative tools such as digital pest warning apps, fertilizer standardization, and the promotion of high-yielding, short-duration Basmati varieties were highlighted. Pathological strategies, sustainable practices like organic farming, and improved soil nutrition were also addressed. A comprehensive strategic framework was approved, outlining short-, medium-, and long-term goals for rice research and development to ensure sustainable productivity and effective technology transfer.

The Honorable Secretary Agriculture, Government of Punjab, Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, visited the Rice Research Institute (RRI) today 27.01.2026 to review the display of high-tech agricultural machinery organized by the Punjab Agriculture Department, in accordance with the directives of the Honorable Chief Minister Punjab, Ms. Maryam Nawaz.

The machinery display is part of the provincial flagship initiative “Clean Air and Climate Resilience – Low Carbon Agriculture,” which aims to promote climate-smart mechanization, reduce carbon emissions from agriculture, and enhance climate resilience across Punjab. The project is sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of the Government of Punjab’s broader commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural development.

During the visit, the Secretary Agriculture appreciated the efforts of the Rice Research Institute and the Field Wing for effectively showcasing advanced agricultural technologies aligned with the project’s objectives. He emphasized the importance of adopting modern, low-carbon machinery to address climate challenges and improve agricultural productivity.

The high-tech agricultural machinery display will continue for ten days, providing farmers and other stakeholders with an opportunity to observe and learn about innovative climate-smart solutions.

An International Seminar on “Climate-Smart Agriculture: Issues and Solutions” was held on Monday, 5 January 2026, at the Main Library, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Pakistan. The seminar was jointly organized by the Agronomic Research Institute and the Pakistan Society of Agronomy (PSA).

The event witnessed overwhelming participation from academia, researchers, extensionists, farmers, students, private-sector stakeholders, and national and international agricultural experts, providing a common platform for dialogue on climate-resilient agricultural practices. Participation from other provinces was also significant, reflecting the national importance of the subject.

The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Chief Scientist, Agriculture Research, AARI, Faisalabad. Dr. Muhammad Sabar participated in the seminar along with his research team.

During the technical sessions, renowned keynote and invited speakers shared their research findings. Dr. Sana-e-Mustafa from the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting major achievements in developing biotic and abiotic stress resistance in rice.

While addressing the seminar, Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman emphasized the growing climate-smart challenges facing agriculture and stressed the need to capitalize on opportunities offered by the Agriculture Department, Punjab, Government of the Punjab, through collaborative research initiatives. He urged participants to effectively utilize the platform of PSA to develop practical, problem-solving approaches for farmers, contributing towards the progress and prosperity of the farming community and the people of Pakistan.

Worthy Chief Scientist (CS), AARI, Dr. Sajid ur Rehman visited Rice Research Institute (RRI), Kala Shah Kaku today 31.12.2025.

During the visit, a detailed meeting was held with RRI scientists to review the performance of hybrid rice, local varieties, and Indian/pirated varieties across different rice-growing locations of Punjab. The discussion focused on yield trends, adaptability, and field performance under varying agro-climatic conditions.

Dr. Sajid ur Rehman also held deliberations on proposed and upcoming ADP projects, emphasizing research priorities and strategic planning for strengthening rice research and development in the province.

The visit reinforced AARI’s commitment to evidence-based research and sustainable rice production in Punjab.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab, today inaugurating NitrogenApp — a step towards real-time, site-specific fertilizer management for sustainable agriculture. The app is developed through collaborative efforts of the Department of Soil Science and Department of Computer Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, in partnership with Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, and Maize & Millet Research Institute, Yousafwala, Sahiwal.
The app is designed to support farmers, researchers, and extension professionals by optimizing fertilizer use efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing crop productivity through data-driven decision-making.
A step forward towards smarter farming and a greener future.

The event “Strengthening the Value Chain for Zinc Wheat: Learning from Stakeholder Experiences in Pakistan” was successfully held on 27 November 2025 at the Faletti’s Hotel Lahore.

Stakeholders from government organizations, research institutes, development partners, and the private sector gathered to share progress and practical insights on scaling zinc-biofortified wheat to improve nutrition and strengthen Pakistan’s food system.

Dr. Muhammad Ijaz, Principal Scientist at the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, participated in the technical session and highlighted a major achievement: the development of Vital Basmati, a nutrient-enriched, biofortified basmati rice variety designed to support improved community health while preserving premium grain quality.

The institute reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovative biofortified crops and contributing to Pakistan’s national goals of improved nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

We're pleased to share that Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku and Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have signed a Commitment of Cooperation to work together on AI Technology in Rice. This partnership aims to leverage cutting-edge tech to boost rice production and sustainability.

This milestone is a testament to the strong dedication and vision of DG AARI and Director Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku. Their leadership has been instrumental in driving this collaboration forward.

The Consul General of Pakistan, Mr. Tanvin Ahmad Bhatti, was present during the signing ceremony, highlighting the importance of this partnership.

On 19 November 2025, Honorable Brigadier (R) Babar Alaudin, Chairperson of the Chief Minister’s Directorate of Evaluation, Feedback, Inspection & Monitoring (DEFIM), visited the Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku where he received a detailed briefing on the institute’s ongoing research and development initiatives. Principal Scientist Dr. Muhammad Ijaz warmly welcomed the Chairperson and briefed him on the institute’s historic journey, major research disciplines, and key achievements, in the presence of Staff Officer Abdul Jabbar Bhatti and the scientists of RRI. The Chairperson appreciated the dedication and hard work of the scientific team, acknowledging their vital role in upholding the global reputation of Basmati rice and strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural economy, food security, and export potential. He emphasized the need for intensified research on the genetic purity of Basmati, improved aroma and grain slenderness, high-yielding varieties, and advancements in hybrid rice. Referring to national needs and global market trends, he stressed the importance of developing new varieties, improving production technologies, and enhancing post-harvest management, along with prioritizing research on drought tolerance, abiotic stress resilience, salt tolerance, and varieties suited for low-water conditions. Brigadier Babar encouraged scientists to align their research with farmers’ needs, international trends, and export standards to ensure Pakistan’s continued competitiveness. He also visited RRI’s laboratories to review ongoing research activities and expressed full confidence that with sustained commitment and high-quality research, the Rice Research Institute Kala Shah Kaku will continue to achieve new milestones for Punjab and Pakistan.

Today, a British Delegation along with representatives from the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) visited the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku (RRI-KSK).

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Rician team. Mr. Ahsen Raza Khan, PS, briefed the visitors on the history of RRI-KSK, its research objectives, ongoing trials and projects, and the distinctive characteristics of RRI’s rice varieties.

The delegation also visited the MASS and Milling Laboratories, where they observed the cooking demonstration of extra-long grain aromatic varieties — Sona Super Basmati, Sultan Super Basmati, and PK 2021 Aromatic.

The guests expressed great appreciation for the high-quality research and dedicated efforts of the RRI-KSK team. 👏

Pesticide residues pose a significant threat to Pakistan’s rice exports. To address this challenge, the Rice Research Institute (RRI) has taken a leading role by training to master trainers to mitigate residue issues through the adoption of safe pesticide practices, with particular emphasis on observing the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI). In collaboration with RRI, Syngenta Pakistan organized a one-day workshop on 30th October 2025 focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and the safe use of Syngenta products to promote sustainable rice production and reduce pesticide residues—ensuring the continuity of Pakistan’s rice exports in international markets. As part of this initiative, Syngenta Pakistan also conducted an experiment at RRI and briefed the institute’s scientists on the comprehensive rice production plan implemented during the season. The Principal Scientist, RRI, acknowledged and appreciated Syngenta Pakistan’s valuable contribution toward improving the quality and sustainability of rice cultivation in the country.

Dr. Abid Mehmood, Chief Executive, Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB), and Dr. Tahir Hussain Awan, Executive Member (Monitoring & Evaluation), PARB, visited the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, to review the ongoing progress of PARB-funded projects under field conditions.
During the visit, Dr. Muhammad Sabar (Principal Scientist) and Mr. Bilal Atta (Scientific Officer), along with their project team, briefed the PARB officials about various research activities and project developments.
The visiting team appreciated the dedicated efforts of the scientists for effectively executing the research activities and contributing towards sustainable rice production in Punjab