Pakistan Conducts Successful Test of Advanced Chinese Rice Harvester to Boost Agricultural Efficiency

The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) in Dera Ismail Khan has introduced a crawler-type rice combine harvester imported from China, marking a significant advancement toward agricultural modernization in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The new machinery aims to boost farming efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve the overall quality of rice harvesting in the region.

During the inauguration ceremony, Director of Agricultural Research Abdul Qayum Khan emphasized the importance of adopting modern, field-appropriate technologies to support local farmers. He noted that mechanized farming is now a necessity rather than a choice and that the harvester trials will help identify the most suitable technologies for the region’s soil and climatic conditions. Farm Manager Sibghat Ullah Alizai supervised the demonstration, which showcased the harvester’s ability to perform cutting, threshing, and cleaning in a single operation. The machine delivered strong results in soft, muddy, and waterlogged fields—environments that typically pose challenges for traditional equipment.

Technical experts highlighted that the new harvester can significantly improve harvesting speed and precision while lowering dependence on manual labor. The Director expressed optimism that such technological innovations would accelerate the transition to modern agricultural practices, ultimately increasing crop yields and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

ARI officials confirmed that ongoing assessments will continue to evaluate the machine’s long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness before considering its widespread adoption across the province.