Gwadar Eyes Agricultural Transformation with Insights from China

HENAN, CHINA – A high-level Pakistani delegation, consisting of agricultural experts and enterprise representatives, undertook a week-long visit to Henan Province, China, to foster collaboration in agricultural science, education, and technology under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, Gwadar Pro reported on Sunday.

Their first stop was the Zhengzhou Garden Expo, where the delegation explored a modern tissue culture laboratory and nursery base. Here, they observed China’s advanced plant propagation techniques and nursery management systems, gaining valuable insights into innovation-driven horticulture.

Educational cooperation emerged as another key theme of the visit. Delegates toured primary and secondary schools within the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone to discuss student and faculty exchanges. They showed strong interest in China’s integration of ecological farming concepts into school curricula—an approach they considered replicable in Gwadar to raise environmental awareness and agricultural literacy among youth.

At the Henan Academy of Sciences, detailed technical discussions were held with researchers from the Laser Manufacturing Research Institute to explore laser-based applications in agriculture, especially for crop management and precision farming in Gwadar.

One of the pivotal stops was Zhongmu County’s garlic planting base, where the team studied high-yield cultivation techniques, advanced harvesting methods, and post-harvest processing—knowledge that could be directly applied to Gwadar’s agricultural development.

A significant milestone was achieved with the signing of a Sino-Pak Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement at Henan Agricultural University. The agreement focuses on the introduction, cultivation, and utilization of Paulownia trees and other species, laying the groundwork for joint research, technology transfer, and sustainable agricultural innovation.

The visit wasn’t limited to science and trade. Delegates also visited the Shaolin Temple, experiencing China’s rich cultural heritage. Business potential was explored through networking meetings with Yulin Holding, where future investment opportunities in Pakistan’s agriculture sector were discussed.

Owais Mir, a member of the Pakistani delegation, expressed optimism about implementing the knowledge gained. “We are confident that these learnings will help transform Gwadar into an agricultural innovation hub and improve food security through sustainable methods,” he stated.

Experts view such exchanges as a promising avenue for promoting agricultural modernization in Pakistan, especially in regions like Gwadar, leveraging CPEC’s infrastructural and institutional support.