An important factor promoting economic growth, sustainable development, and food security in both countries is the agricultural alliance between Pakistan and China.
An important factor promoting economic growth, sustainable development, and food security in both countries is the agricultural alliance between Pakistan and China.
According to a report published by Gwadar Pro on Monday, the strategic partnership between these two close neighbours, carried out within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has seen significant advancements recently, transforming the agricultural landscape of Pakistan.
The bilateral partnership has paved the way for future prosperity and self-sufficiency by collaborating on projects, exchanging technology, and investing in vital industries. It has also addressed Pakistan’s domestic agricultural challenges.
There have been notable advancements in Pakistan and China’s agricultural cooperation, particularly in the development of high-value crops and the adoption of cutting-edge farming techniques.
Pakistan’s reliance on imported cooking oil has been significantly reduced thanks to the cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani businesses in the production of Chinese hybrid canola and edible oil, which also helped to increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves while supplying domestic demand.
With an increase in agricultural exports anticipated in the upcoming years, the cultivation of chilli in South Punjab and Sindh has created new export opportunities to China. The agreements for the CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation Centre and agricultural training programmes show how committed both countries are to ongoing collaboration in the agricultural sector.
The China-Pakistan Green Corridor (CPGC) focuses on agricultural environment and food security, enhancing crop yields and resource efficiency through advanced technologies like maize-soybean strip intercropping.
Pakistan and China’s agricultural cooperation has yielded positive economic results, with Pakistan’s agricultural sector expanding at a commendable rate of 4.4% in 2022, surpassing the 3.5% target and 3.48% growth in the previous year.
Pakistan’s agricultural exports to China have increased dramatically, demonstrating the success of the CPEC and Green Corridor projects.
Agricultural alliance between the two countries, which is anticipated to reach a record high in 2023, strengthens trade ties and offers new chances for Pakistan to establish itself as a major player in the world’s agricultural market.
Significant growth rates and increased agricultural exports have resulted from Pakistan and China’s agricultural cooperation. The development of dried chilli farming is a sign of Pakistan’s expansion in chilli farming and potential exports to China.
65 demonstration sites in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have successfully implemented the maize-soybean strip intercropping technology. The intercropped fields produced more maize and soybeans than the cropped fields (8,490 kg and 889 kg, respectively).
This cutting-edge method demonstrates the value of knowledge and technology transfer from China to Pakistan, which benefits farmers financially and increases productivity.
Chinese companies in Pakistan have significantly contributed to diversifying bee farming, honey production, sorghum, sesame, and peanut production. Their efforts emphasize advancing agricultural practices, technology transfer, and market access.
Prioritizing sustainable farming practices, resource management, and modern technologies is crucial for long-term productivity and environmental conservation.
By fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and market diversification, Pakistan’s agricultural sector can drive economic growth, food security, and rural development, while strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.