A group of around 300 Pakistani graduates has completed advanced agricultural training in China’s Shaanxi province, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday, calling the achievement “very heartening.”
This initiative is part of Pakistan’s decision to send nearly 1,000 graduates to China for training in modern agricultural techniques to boost productivity. The plan was set in motion following Sharif’s visit to Xi’an, Shaanxi, a major hub for agriculture, industry, and education, in June last year.
In a post on X, Sharif expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership, the Shaanxi provincial government, and the universities involved in delivering practical training. He also commended Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security, the Higher Education Commission, and the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing for their coordinated efforts.
He noted that the first batch received hands-on training in critical areas such as water-saving irrigation, seed production, animal husbandry, crop cultivation, and reducing post-harvest losses.
Agriculture makes up nearly 25% of Pakistan’s GDP and employs about 37% of the workforce, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. However, factors such as rapid population growth, climate change, and inefficient resource management have put serious pressure on crop production in recent years.
To counter these challenges, experts stress the importance of constructing water reservoirs, restoring wetlands, and encouraging drought-tolerant crops to reduce the impact of frequent and severe droughts.
Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, emphasized earlier this year that strategies like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and modern irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems are now essential, not optional.
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