**Pakistan and China Deepen Agricultural Cooperation, Eyeing Joint Innovation and Investment**
Pakistan and China have committed to strengthening agricultural collaboration, with both nations emphasizing joint research, technological exchange, and investment as key pillars of future partnership. The commitment was made during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and a senior Chinese delegation held in Islamabad on the sidelines of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Exchange Conference.
The Chinese delegation was led by He Zhongyou, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and senior officials from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and China Xinjian Group, along with the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong. The discussions centered on opportunities to enhance cooperation across multiple areas of agriculture, with a particular focus on research, cotton production, seed development, irrigation efficiency, and technology transfer.
Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain underscored the strategic importance of agriculture to Pakistan’s economy and highlighted the industry’s central role in fostering bilateral collaboration with China. Addressing persistent challenges such as declining cotton yields and reliance on outdated seed varieties, the Minister expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in learning from Xinjiang’s achievements in boosting agricultural productivity, particularly in regions with similar arid and semi-arid climates.
Both sides agreed on the need to institutionalize their partnership by establishing technical working groups of agricultural experts and researchers. These groups will identify and implement joint projects, especially in the development of high-yield cotton seeds, the adoption of advanced water-saving irrigation systems, and the introduction of modern farming techniques suited to Pakistani ecological zones. Minister Hussain also proposed extending such collaboration to the Gilgit-Baltistan region, given its similarities to Xinjiang, to drive innovation and promote sustainable growth.
Acknowledging the importance of robust public-private partnerships, Minister Hussain invited Chinese enterprises, including the XPCC and China Xinjian Group, to explore business and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s agriculture and agri-business sectors. He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support in facilitating joint ventures, research exchanges, and the establishment of demonstration farms and technology centers.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reiterated China’s strong commitment to agricultural cooperation under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting the potential for long-term collaboration in food security, technology transfer, and rural development. He commended Pakistan’s proactive approach and openness to deepening ties.
The meeting concluded with both countries pledging to sustain high-level dialogue and move quickly toward implementing agreed projects. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed that advancing agricultural development is a national priority and a cornerstone of the enduring Pakistan-China friendship, pledging continued support to translate this partnership into tangible benefits for farmers, researchers, and future generations.
