Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, held a high-level meeting with a senior Chinese delegation on Thursday, on the sidelines of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Exchange Conference.
The Chinese delegation included He Zhongyou, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), Chairman of China Xinjiang Group, and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong.
Both sides engaged in detailed discussions to expand agricultural cooperation, focusing on areas such as research collaboration, cotton production, seed development, irrigation efficiency, and technological innovation.
Rana Tanveer highlighted agriculture as a backbone of Pakistan’s economy and a crucial area for Pakistan-China cooperation. He pointed out that Pakistan faces significant challenges in cotton production, particularly due to outdated seed varieties and declining yields.
The minister expressed a strong interest in Xinjiang’s advancements in agriculture, especially in dealing with arid and semi-arid climates, which mirror many of Pakistan’s ecological zones.
He stressed that Xinjiang’s success in enhancing crop yields, irrigation practices, and mechanized farming could serve as a model for Pakistan’s agricultural reform.
The meeting resulted in a mutual agreement to institutionalize cooperation through technical working groups composed of agricultural experts and researchers from both countries.
These groups will work on key areas such as developing high-yield cotton seeds, adopting advanced irrigation technologies, and promoting modern farming techniques adapted to Pakistan’s conditions.
Rana Tanveer proposed including the Gilgit-Baltistan region in this collaboration, leveraging its geographic and climatic similarities with Xinjiang to foster agricultural innovation and sustainability.
He also encouraged public-private partnerships and invited Chinese enterprises, particularly from XPCC and the China Xinjiang Group, to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture and agri-business sectors.
Assuring full support, he said the Ministry of National Food Security and Research would facilitate all efforts to turn joint ideas into actionable projects.
He welcomed initiatives for joint ventures, research exchanges, and the development of demonstration farms and agri-tech centers across Pakistan.
In response, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s strong commitment to strengthening agricultural ties under the framework of CPEC. He praised Pakistan’s readiness for cooperation and identified long-term opportunities in food security, technological collaboration, and rural development.
The meeting concluded positively, with both sides agreeing to maintain active dialogue and move swiftly on the proposed areas of collaboration.
Rana Tanveer emphasized that agricultural growth is not only a national priority but also a strategic pillar of the enduring Pakistan-China partnership. He expressed his full support to the visiting delegation and wished them a successful visit and safe journey back.
He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to turning this strong partnership into meaningful gains for its farmers, researchers, and future generations.
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