Pakistan, China to boost cooperation in the agriculture sector

BEIJING:

The cooperation between China and Pakistan in the agricultural sector can greatly help Pakistan modernise and boom in this sector, Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque said.

Ambassador Haque held a virtual meeting with Professor Deng Xiuxin, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and their counterpart from Pakistan, Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Leading experts and faculty members of Huazhong Agricultural University also participated in the meeting.

“Pakistan is keen to learn from Chinese experience and expertise for modernising the agriculture sector in Pakistan, with a focus on corporate farming, new seed development for enhancing crop yield, the introduction of new varieties of agriculture products, establishing agro-industry and setting cold chain network,” Haque stated.

In his remarks, the ambassador highlighted the growing significance of the agricultural cooperation between the two countries as the agricultural sector of Pakistan is the backbone of the national economy and is important for food security. The ambassador also praised China for its progress in the agriculture sector and believed Pakistan could modernise this sector under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

During the meeting, the discussions focused on China-Pakistan bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture and special agricultural technology zone was proposed to enhance the cooperation.

Professor Iqrar gave a detailed presentation about the ongoing cooperation between Faisalabad Agriculture University and Chinese universities, highlighting new areas of cooperation. He proposed the establishment of a Special Agriculture Technology Zone in Faisalabad and invited Chinese counterparts and enterprises for this project.

Professor Deng positively noted the proposals and expressed full support of CAE for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the agriculture sector.

In February 2022, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor said that China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) was interested in setting up an Agriculture, Science and Technology Transferring Center in Pakistan to offer cooperation in agriculture mechanisation for the improvement of crops’ yield and seeds’ quality.

“Initially, the centre will be established on a government-to-government aid basis with an estimated amount of $50 million,” Mansoor told a press conference. “Chinese companies, with research and expertise in agriculture are coming to the country to enter into joint ventures (JVs) with Pakistani farmers.”

The centre will train Pakistani farmers in agriculture mechanisation, he said.