Pakistan, China set to advance agricultural innovation

July 18, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan and China have agreed to form technical working groups of agricultural experts and researchers to launch joint projects focused on high-yield cotton seed development, advanced water-saving irrigation technologies, and modern farming techniques tailored to Pakistan’s ecological zones.

The collaboration will also extend to the Gilgit-Baltistan region, leveraging its climatic similarities with China’s Xinjiang region to promote sustainable agricultural innovation.

The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research and a senior Chinese delegation on the sidelines of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Exchange Conference, said a press release issued yesterday.

The two sides held detailed discussions on enhancing agricultural collaboration, particularly in research and innovation.

Rana Tanveer highlighted the challenges Pakistan faces in cotton productivity and expressed interest in learning from Xinjiang’s success in improving yields in arid and semi-arid climates.

 He noted that Xinjiang’s advancements in crop optimization, irrigation management, and mechanization could serve as a model for Pakistan.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired the meeting, which was attended by He Zhongyou, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), the Chairman of China Xinjian Group, and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Jiang Zaidong.

The Minister called for greater public-private partnerships and invited Chinese enterprises, including XPCC and China Xinjian Group, to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

 He assured full facilitation from his ministry to support joint ventures, research collaborations, and the establishment of demonstration farms and technology centers.

Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China’s commitment to agricultural cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and praised Pakistan’s proactive engagement. He emphasized the potential for a long-term strategic partnership aimed at strengthening food security and driving rural development.

Concluding the meeting, both sides pledged to maintain dialogue and swiftly implement the agreed areas of cooperation.

Minister Rana Tanveer reiterated the strategic importance of agricultural development in strengthening Pakistan-China ties and expressed his commitment to ensuring tangible outcomes.

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