A high-level Punjab delegation met with Chinese satellite company Piesat in Beijing to explore the use of advanced space technology for transforming Pakistan’s agriculture sector, the company confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Led by Punjab’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, the delegation discussed potential cooperation in satellite-based crop monitoring, disaster management, and digital watershed systems, technologies that could significantly enhance farming efficiency and sustainability across the province.
Punjab’s Push for Agricultural Modernisation
Punjab, Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, is actively seeking innovative solutions to improve productivity and modernise farming practices. The provincial government recently launched a Rs30 billion high-tech mechanisation programme to promote precision agriculture and reduce post-harvest losses.
Minister Kirmani emphasised that adopting cutting-edge tools such as satellite imaging and data analytics will help improve resource management, detect crop stress early, and strengthen the province’s resilience to climate shocks.
Ongoing Pakistan–China Cooperation in Space Agriculture
The visit builds on a series of recent agreements between Pakistan and Piesat. Earlier in 2024, Piesat launched a smart agriculture pilot project in Pakistan and later signed a cooperation deal in June to promote smart agricultural development.
In September, the company finalised a 2.9 billion yuan ($400 million) agreement to assist Pakistan in developing an independent satellite network, a move expected to boost the country’s capacity in communications, weather forecasting, and precision agriculture.
The meeting in Beijing marks another milestone in Pakistan–China collaboration, reflecting a shared vision for harnessing space technology to achieve food security, sustainability, and digital transformation in agriculture.
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