CPEC: Pakistan Looks Towards China for Modernization of Agriculture

• Chinese agriculture scientists and experts to share expertise, skills, and technology for evolution of the agricultural landscape in Pakistan

• Prime Minister’s Initiative for Short-Term Training of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China aims to enhance the skills of young professionals in nine priority areas of modern agriculture through three- and six-month training programs at leading Chinese institutions.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan looks east ward for modernization of agriculture as government sent the first batch of 300 bright young Pakistani agriculture scientists and experts to China for hands on training in modern agricultural practices and technology applications.

Addressing the Ceremony of the first phase of sending 300 students to china, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “Government is committed to enhancing the capacity of the agriculture sector and plans to send 1000 agriculture graduates to China on scholarships for higher studies”.

Government is sowing the seeds today for a prosperous, technology-driven agricultural future in Pakistan, said Prime Minister.

Also Shehbaz Sharif declared it a landmark day for Pakistan’s Agriculture Sector, marking the completion of the first phase of a scholarship program under which Pakistani Agricultural Graduates are being sent to China for Advanced Training.

Speaking at a ceremony, PM highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating that Pakistan will greatly benefit from the experiences and expertise of students who have received higher education in China.

He said these students will serve as a bridge between Beijing and Islamabad adding that they will play a vital role in revolutionizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector upon their return.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the graduates were selected on merit from all four provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with a special 10% quota allocated to Balochistan to ensure inclusivity.

He stressed that the equal development of all regions is essential for the Country’s collective progress.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised China’s unwavering support for Pakistan in various sectors, including its pivotal role in securing the recent IMF program.

He noted that students trained in china will bring back valuable knowledge of modern agricultural practices, contributing to increased productivity, sustainability, and innovation in the sector.

Highlighting opportunities in rural areas, the prime minister said small and medium enterprises in agriculture hold immense potential and called for a stronger focus on value addition in agricultural products to increase economic returns for farmers.

Prime Minister’s Initiative for Short-Term Training of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China aims to enhance the skills of young professionals in nine priority areas of modern agriculture through three- and six-month training programs at leading Chinese institutions.

This program is a joint effort of MNFSR, HEC, Pakistan Embassy in Beijing, MOFA, and NITB. The training will be conducted at Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University and Yangling Vocational & Technical College, Shaanxi Province, China.

Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on Prime Minister’s Initiative emphasized the need to speed up the dispatch process and ensure maximum facilitation for students. The ministry is actively coordinating with Chinese authorities, stakeholders, and financial institutions to streamline logistical arrangements.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved Rs. 3,072.056 million for this program, with funds being released in batches through HEC. The government has ensured merit-based selection, with 10% additional quota for students from Balochistan.

Pakistan-China collaboration in agricultural education and training will equip young agricultural professionals with modern knowledge in mechanization, biotechnology, AI, irrigation systems, and value chain development, strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture sector for future growth, according to government sources.

While seeing off the departing graduates at the airport, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized that agriculture is central to the nation’s development and teeming with untapped potential.

China is not only our trusted friend but also a global leader in agricultural modernization. In just a few decades, China lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, and the backbone of that transformation was agriculture. It mechanized its farms, digitized its crop management, introduced high-yield and climate-resilient seeds, and built robust rural value chains. This success was not accidental—it was the result of vision, planning, and consistent innovation, he added.

Pakistan today stands at a similar crossroads. With a growing population, changing climate, water stress, and limited arable land, we can no longer afford to continue with traditional methods. It is time for Green Revolution 2.0—a new wave of agricultural reform that is science-led, technology-enabled, and sustainability-focused, he said.

Urging the participants of training in China minister emphasized, “journey is not just a training visit. It is a mission. A mission to bring back ideas, knowledge, and partnerships that can transform Pakistan’s agriculture sector from subsistence to surplus—from survival to success”.

The training and exposure 1000 graduates receive will equip them with vital skills to contribute to the evolution of the agricultural landscape in Pakistan will cooperation of China.

Participants will gain insights into the evolution of Chinese agriculture, enriched by field visits to private and public sector farms, labs, and enterprises throughout China.

Graduates will engage in practical hands-on workshops and receive formal classroom instruction, with ongoing evaluations to measure their progress and skill acquisition.