Gansu to boost agricultural cooperation with Pakistan

Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS) and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) discussed a roadmap for boosting agricultural cooperation in the future, with advanced Chinese technologies to be transferred to Pakistan.

Gansu and Pakistan share similarities in climate, crop types and environment. According to Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences Vice President Fan Tinglu, high-yielding crop varieties of wheat, potato, corn, oilseed, cotton and various technologies of efficient use of water and fertiliser on dry land would hopefully be introduced to Pakistan.

The official added that solar greenhouse, fruit and vegetable storage and cold chain logistics would be focused as well.

“Many technologies from Gansu have been introduced to Pakistan and achieved promising results,” Fan Tinglu. In this regard, he gave the expmple of the technology of farmland water utilisation and regulation with plastic-film mulching on dry land.

“We sincerely hope our cooperation with IUB contribute to both food security and agricultural development in the future,” the official said.

Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur Dr Athar Mahboob said that the area where IUB was located was facing soil, water and climatic challenges and Chinese technology could play a positive part in the region.

“IUB is looking forward to working with the Chinese counterparts. We want to learn from the Chinese experience and advanced technologies to improve our local conditions and food security,” Mahboob said. Last year, IUB already established cooperative ties with Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) specialized in intercropping technology. Now, the Sino-Pak agricultural cooperation is steadily expanding through more linkages being forged.

Based on a series of investigation and research by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Gansu, there is enormous potential to develop cooperation in agriculture to fuel the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) phase II which focuses on improving people’s livelihoods. Simultaneously supported by the Pakistani Embassy in China, it is believed the agricultural cooperation between Gansu and Pakistan would blossom.

It has been learned that a memorandum of understanding between GAAS and IUB is on the way to kick off the cooperation in an efficient and practical way.