Call for exploring ways to boost agri development

Expert says Chinese companies should be facilitated to work in agricultural sector

ISLAMABAD:

China has made tremendous progress in the field of agriculture in the last few years, which has led to the significant increase in its agricultural output. Through CPEC, not only revival of agriculture sector in Pakistan can be ensured but also food security by bringing innovation in it.

This was stated by CPEC Agriculture Cooperation Center Director Dr Muhammad Azam Khan. He was speaking at a seminar on 'Pak-China Agriculture Cooperation under CPEC' held at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD) on Monday.

The seminar was organised with the aim to explore ways to boost agricultural development and understand the opportunities offered by agricultural cooperation under CPEC.

PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman urged the Pakistani government to strengthen mutual exchanges with its Chinese counterparts and facilitate Chinese companies to work in the agricultural sector. Being one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Pakistan needs to adopt climate-smart agriculture techniques as the challenges posed by climate change have not only gravely affected the production and quality of crops, but also created numerous problems for farmers, he said. He further said that with the increase in value-added processing in the agricultural sector, Pakistan would not only be able to manufacture its products in accordance with the international standards but also by exporting them, a significant increase in the national exchange rate would be possible.

Agricultural Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan Dr Gu Wenliang, addressing the participants said, China is continuously introducing new agricultural technologies, machinery and modern varieties of crops in Pakistan under CPEC, which is improving Pakistan's agricultural sector day by day. He also proposed to formulate a research policy to enhance people-to-people contacts, export Pakistani agricultural products to China, and promote agricultural and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2022.