KARACHI, June 13: The Sindh Assembly was on Monday informed that the high-yield rice variety being developed to replace Irri-6 was expected to be released in 2006-2007. The information came from provincial Minister Nadir Akmal Leghari during question hour in the house. He was responding to a question asked by Heer Ismail Soho.

He said that the new variety ‘L-1’, was being developed by the Rice Research Institute, Dokri, and had a yield potential of 9,167kgs per hectare (92 maunds per acre) — 18 per cent higher than Irri-6.

The minister said that the provincial government had allocated 60 per cent more funds for research and development in agriculture sector for enhancing training and other related activities. “Evolution of any new rice variety takes a long time, often between seven and 12 years. The research institute has developed eight varieties since 1968.”

Replying to another question from the same member, the minister informed the house that the Sindh government was running five research institutes, namely Agriculture Research Institute, Tando Jam, Horticulture Research Institute, Mirpurkhas, Rice Research Institute, Dokri, Wheat Research Institute, Sakrand, and Quaid-i-Awam Agriculture Research Institute, Larkana.

In response to identical questions put by Jam Madad Ali Khan, he said that previously, one per cent job quota had been fixed for disabled persons in Sindh departments which was revised to two per cent on June 21, 2001 for positions in BPS-15 and below.

Answering a question asked by Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Mr Leghari told the house that besides Jakhrani Flour Mills in Jacobabad district, there were two other flour mills — Kohinoor Flour Mills, Kandhkot, and Al-Makkah Flour Mills, Kashmor — , adding that Jakhrani Flour Mills was non-functional since October 2000 on account of disconnection of electricity and a dispute with Habib Bank, Jacobabad.

He said that pursuant to an order of the Sindh High Court, circuit bench Larkana, wheat releases in favour of the mills would be made after proper verification by a senior officer.

Replying to a question by Mohammad Nawaz Chandio, the minister informed the house that 419,064 acres of land was under cultivation of sunflower – 12,471 acres in Hyderabad, 293,891 acres in Badin and 112,702 acres in Thatta.