A senior Chinese delegation has shown strong interest in investing across key areas of Pakistan’s agriculture sector, including seed development, smart irrigation systems, precision farming, and agro-processing, during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Led by agricultural scientists and private sector representatives, the Chinese team met with Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, to explore expanded collaboration aimed at modernising Pakistan’s agricultural landscape.
According to the Ministry of National Food Security, the talks centred on creating joint strategies for innovation, research partnerships, and technology transfer. The Chinese side underscored its readiness to facilitate institutional linkages and knowledge-sharing to help Pakistan boost farm productivity, implement climate-resilient practices, and strengthen food security.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to introduce modern technology, climate-smart practices, and research-based solutions that uplift productivity and secure the livelihoods of local farmers,” said Minister Hussain.
Agriculture: Backbone of Pakistan’s Economy
The agriculture sector contributes nearly 25% of Pakistan’s GDP and employs 37% of the labour force, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation. However, the sector faces mounting challenges due to climate change, poor resource management, and rapid population growth.
To address these challenges, Pakistan has already sent around 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for advanced training. Of those, the first cohort of 300 graduates recently returned after completing programs in water-saving irrigation, seed development, animal husbandry, and post-harvest management in China’s Shaanxi province.
Proposed Agreements for Joint R&D
Minister Hussain proposed signing formal MoUs focused on collaborative research in biotechnology, crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable farming techniques. He also called for long-term frameworks to support the exchange of agricultural scientists and technical training between the two nations.
Officials from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) were instructed to identify key areas of cooperation and develop actionable proposals.
The Chinese delegation welcomed these initiatives and praised Pakistan’s strategic direction. They assured full support from both the Chinese government and the private sector to help modernise Pakistan’s agricultural infrastructure.
“The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to elevate China-Pakistan agricultural ties, ensuring tangible outcomes in the coming months through structured planning and execution,” the food security ministry said.
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