ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and China are taking steps to deepen cooperation in agriculture, aiming to modernize farming practices and boost innovation. A high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and a visiting Chinese delegation was held on Wednesday in Islamabad to explore strategic collaboration.
The Chinese delegation — comprising senior government officials, agri-scientists, and private investors — expressed interest in partnering on key areas such as seed development, smart irrigation, precision farming, and agro-processing technologies. They also emphasized China’s willingness to share expertise through institutional linkages and technology transfer.
Minister Hussain welcomed the initiative and highlighted the urgent need to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector, especially in the face of climate change and food security challenges. He proposed the transformation of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) into a center of excellence through joint efforts in research and capacity-building.
To formalize the collaboration, the Minister proposed signing multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistani and Chinese institutions. These would focus on biotechnology, crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable farming. He also called for scientist exchange programs and technical training frameworks to support long-term capacity development.
The Minister directed relevant departments and PARC leadership to start preparing detailed concept papers and MoU drafts. He encouraged Pakistani experts to visit China to learn from their successful agricultural models and advanced practices.
The Chinese side responded positively, endorsing the Minister’s vision and confirming full support from both the Chinese government and private sector. They reaffirmed their commitment to Pakistan’s agricultural transformation through targeted investment, institutional cooperation, and innovation-driven growth.