• Pakistan, China officials explore joint intiatives to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector through research, innovation, and investment

• Both hold discussions focusing on cooperation in biotechnology, crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable agricultural practices

• Through collaboration with China, Pakistan can introduce scientific research, climate-resilient practices, and modern technology that will uplift the productivity of local farmers and ensure long-term food security: Rana Tanveer Hussain

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif PM has lunched Initiative for Capacity Building of 1000 Agriculture Professionals trained in China to seek valuable knowledge of modern agricultural practices.

By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia

Islamabad: Pakistan and China held high level meeting on Tuesday in Islsamabad whrein discussions, focusing on developing joint strategies to modernize agricultural sector through cooperation efforts in research, innovation, and investment, were on the agenda.

Accoring sources,  a high level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, as held in Islamabad with a high-powered Chinese delegation who is visitng Pakistan to enhance cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The Chinese delegation, comprising senior officials, agricultural scientists, and private sector representatives, expressed keen interest in investing across various segments of Pakistan’s agriculture, including seed development, precision farming, smart irrigation systems, and agro-processing. The delegation highlighted China’s technological advancements in agriculture and its willingness to transfer expertise to Pakistan through institutional partnerships.

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain warmly welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the agriculture sector, which remains a backbone of the national economy. He emphasized that transforming the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) into a center of excellence is one of his top priorities. He said that through collaboration with China, Pakistan can introduce scientific research, climate-resilient practices, and modern technology that will uplift the productivity of local farmers and ensure long-term food security.

The Minister stressed the urgent need for formal agreements between Pakistani and Chinese agricultural institutions. He proposed signing multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that would focus on joint research in areas such as biotechnology, crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable agricultural practices. He also underscored the importance of establishing long-term frameworks for the exchange of scientists, technical training, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural institutions.

Mr. Hussain noted that this partnership must go beyond investment and move towards structured collaboration in research and development. He directed the leadership of PARC and other concerned departments to initiate immediate drafting of MoUs and prepare detailed concept papers to outline the proposed areas of cooperation. He also encouraged visits by Pakistani experts to China to observe successful agricultural models and adapt them to Pakistan’s needs.

• Initiatives for Pakistan’s agricultural transformation

The Chinese delegation appreciated the Minister’s strategic vision and assured full support from their government and private sector to contribute to Pakistan’s agricultural transformation. They welcomed the proposal for formal MoUs and expressed readiness to facilitate institutional linkages and technology transfer in a time-bound manner.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to elevate the Pakistan-China partnership in agriculture to a new level, ensuring tangible outcomes in the coming months through structured planning and implementation

Pakistan is looking eastward 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.

• PM’s Initiative for Capacity Building of 1000 Agriculture Professionals

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.

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”.

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

Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif believes that 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.