Islamabad: China has expressed keen interest in investing in Pakistan's agriculture sector, focusing particularly on seed development, smart irrigation systems, and agro-processing. The interest was conveyed during a meeting between a Chinese delegation of agricultural scientists and private sector representatives and Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain.
According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting centered on exploring enhanced cooperation between the two countries in agriculture and developing joint strategies to modernize Pakistan's agricultural sector. The Chinese delegation highlighted China's technological advancements in agriculture and expressed willingness to transfer expertise to Pakistan through institutional partnerships.
Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the agriculture sector, which remains a backbone of the national economy. He noted that collaboration with China could introduce scientific research, climate-resilient practices, and modern technology to uplift the productivity of local farmers and ensure long-term food security.
Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the urgent need for formal agreements between Pakistani and Chinese agricultural institutions for joint research in biotechnology, crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable agricultural practices. He also highlighted the importance of establishing long-term frameworks for the exchange of scientists, technical training, and capacity-building initiatives to bolster Pakistan's agricultural institutions.
The Minister directed officials from the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and other departments to outline the proposed areas of cooperation. The Chinese delegation welcomed the proposal for formal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and expressed readiness to facilitate institutional linkages and technology transfer.