Islamabad – In a major push to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural sector, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled a new initiative to send 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates to China for advanced training. The program, designed to foster knowledge exchange and adopt cutting-edge farming techniques, aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and innovation in Pakistan’s agriculture industry.

Key Details of the Initiative

• Objective: Equip young Pakistani agri-professionals with expertise in precision farming, smart irrigation, crop biotechnology, and agri-tech solutions.
• Duration: The training program will span six months to one year, depending on specialization.
• Selection Criteria: Graduates from agricultural universities and professionals with relevant experience will be prioritized.
• Funding: Fully or partially sponsored by the Pakistani government in collaboration with Chinese agricultural institutes.

Why This Program Matters

Pakistan’s agriculture sector contributes ~24% to GDP and employs nearly 40% of the labor force, yet it faces challenges like low yields, water scarcity, and outdated techniques. By leveraging China’s advancements in:
✔ High-yield crop varieties
✔ Automated farming machinery
✔ Climate-resilient practices
✔ Digital agriculture (AI, IoT, drones)

the initiative seeks to bridge the technological gap and boost Pakistan’s food security and exports.

China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation

This program builds on existing collaborations, including:

• Sino-Pak Joint Agricultural Labs (established under CPEC)
• Seed development projects (e.g., hybrid rice trials in Punjab)
• Drip irrigation technology transfers

PM Shehbaz emphasized that the trainees will become “agricultural ambassadors”, bringing back expertise to revolutionize Pakistan’s farming landscape.

Reactions & Next Steps

• Farmers’ Associations: Hailed the move but urged inclusion of smallholders in future phases.
• Industry Experts: Stressed the need for localized training centers to disseminate knowledge post-return.
• Government: Plans to link participants with agri-businesses and subsidy programs to implement learnings.

Conclusion

This initiative marks a strategic step toward sustainable agriculture and youth empowerment. If successfully implemented, it could transform Pakistan into a regional agri-tech hub while strengthening Sino-Pak ties.

Follow ScaleupPakistan.com for updates on application deadlines and program developments.