China and Pakistan have agreed to establish a joint bio-healthy agriculture research laboratory and a China-Pakistan Bio-Healthy Agriculture Science and Technology Demonstration Park, marking a milestone in bilateral agricultural cooperation. The understanding was reached during a visit by Professor Zhang Lixin, Chairman of the Silk Road Bio-Healthy Agriculture Industry Alliance at Northwest A&F University, to the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI).
Boosting Food Security through Innovation
Professor Zhang said the initiative would bring China’s advanced agricultural technologies to Pakistan, addressing food security challenges and uplifting farmers’ livelihoods. UAF’s Professor Rao Zahid Abbas called it a “hub for innovation and applied research,” while Dr. Saddam Hussain highlighted that the project marks “a new chapter in academic and research collaboration in sustainable agriculture and bio-health.”
Sesame Trade Growth with China
The partnership coincides with a sharp rise in Pakistan’s sesame seed exports to China, which surged 300% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This increase has made Pakistan the fourth-largest sesame supplier to China. Professor Zhang credited the growth to improved market access and rising demand, noting that Pakistan now aims to enhance seed quality, expand value-added processing, and strengthen its presence in China’s e-commerce market.
Demonstration Park in Sahiwal
Work is already underway on a bio-healthy sesame demonstration farm at the China-Pakistan Bio-Healthy Agriculture Overseas Technology Demonstration Park in Sahiwal, Punjab. Using advanced Chinese sesame varieties and technologies, joint trials have identified optimal production parameters for Pakistan. Technical standards for bio-healthy sesame cultivation have also been published, ensuring quality and sustainability.
This collaboration is expected to revolutionise Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, creating new opportunities for farmers, improving food security, and deepening Sino-Pak cooperation in agri-technology.
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