Pakistan and China Enhance Cooperation in Agriculture Sector

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in the agriculture sector, particularly in areas such as research, inputs production, and machinery adoption. The agreement was reached during a meeting between China's Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, and Pakistan's Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam. The two dignitaries discussed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance the export of onions to China and introduce the revolutionary Chinese Juncao technology. They also explored opportunities for cooperation in the production of agriculture inputs, including pesticides, fertilizers, and machinery, as well as agricultural education and research.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a focus on research, inputs production, and machinery adoption.
  • The two countries will sign two MoUs to enhance the export of onions to China and introduce the Juncao technology, which allows farmers to grow nutritional mushrooms from chopped grasses without cutting down trees.
  • Pakistan has huge export potential in fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, citrus fruits, and apples, and aims to increase trade with China in these sectors.
  • The Chinese ambassador highlighted the potential for agricultural bilateral trade between Pakistan and China, with a focus on enhancing productivity through the exchange of agricultural technologies.
  • The two countries will promote three-tier exchanges: Government to Government, Business to Business, and Research to Research.
  • PARC and the Agricultural Research Institute of Beijing will lead the research-based exchange of technology.
  • Pakistan's agricultural yield is almost half that of China, and the introduction of latest technological advances can uplift the country's agro-economy.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan has huge export potential in fruits and vegetables, including mangoes, citrus fruits, apples, and cherries.
  • 1 hectare of land can produce 300 tons of fresh grass per year, which can grow 120 tons of fresh mushrooms or feed 300 goats.
  • 13 centres of the Juncao technology have been set up globally, and the next centre will be established in Pakistan.
  • Pakistan's agricultural yield is almost half that of China, at around 40% of the country's agricultural GDP.

Sources:

  • "Pakistan, China Agree to Enhance Cooperation in Agriculture Sector", Dawn, [No date]
  • "Pakistan and China to Enhance Trade and Exchange of Technologies", Nation, [No date]
  • Remarks made by Nong Rong, China's Ambassador to Pakistan, during the meeting with Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research.