Rice is a member of the grass family, along with wheat and corn, and is one of the three crops on which the human species largely subsists. Nowadays rice is one of the most important crops at the global level, as it is used as a staple food in most countries of the world and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Pakistani fine rice commonly known as Basmati is world-famous in the international market, due to its quality characteristics, strong aroma, slender and long kernel, gelatinization, temperature, and a high degree of grain elongation on cooking.

In Pakistan, rice is mainly grown in Sindh and Punjab. Higher production is due to favorable weather conditions. The Sindh is specialized in producing long-grain white rice IRRI-6 and IRRI-9, while Punjab produces world-class Basmati rice among IRRI-9 and other varieties. Punjab is the largest producer of rice in the country and contributes 58 percent to national production.

Some of the most important varieties grown in the country are Super Basmati, Kernel Basmati, IRRI-6, IRRI-9, etc.