June 13, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 12: After achieving phenomenal acclaim from the developing world in Basmati rice variety, a local business group has now launched a research project involving Pakistani and Chinese scientists to evolve a hybrid Bt cotton variety, claimed a company executive.

Shehzad Ali Malik, director (marketing), Guard Group producing agricultural as well as auto-related products, said the company plans to establish 1,200 such facilities at CNG stations in three years, a TV channel reported on Thursday.

Shehzad Malik promised to carry out demand-based research on cotton to evolve varieties that meet the requirements of the textile industry.

He said this sector still imports seed with qualities like long staple, etc, while hybrid Bt cotton being developed by the company will meet all requirements and will be CLVC-resistant to solve the problem affecting cotton growers for decades.

He said that rice was being exported to 38 countries and had earned $700 million per annum.—APP