The principal target areas are the high-yielding, predominantly irrigated regions of India. Of the 42 million hectares planted to rice in India, more than 5 million are suited for hybrid production.
Hybrids can yield an extra ton of grain per hectare over local varieties.
Major breeding objectives are improved yield, food quality, straw strength and disease resistance. Pioneer was the first to commercialize rice hybrids in India, with the 1993 release of PHB 31. The major hybrid Pioneer sells today is PHB71, released in 1995. New hybrids based on proprietary inbreds are in wide area testing. Hi-Bred International, Inc.