China : Under an on-going Prime Minister’s initiative for capacity building of 1,000 agriculture professionals, first component of Batch-II comprising 100 Pakistani agriculture graduates left for Southwest University of Science and Technology, People’s Republic of China (PRC) via Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)’s special chartered fight PK 856. Professionals will undertake six (06) months’ duration training in discipline of crop breeding and genomics. Initiative is all meant to learn from China’s climate-smart and technology-driven agricultural best practices. Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR) in partnership with Higher Education Commission (HEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing is implementing the program.
Program selectees represent a wide range of professions i.e. public sector, private sector including seed, fertilizers, pesticide, insecticide and weedicide industries, extension services, research & development outfits, farm mechanization and agriculture technology-based enterprises.
MNFSR organized send-off ceremony on 20th July, 2025 in international departure lounge of Islamabad International Airport. Officers of MNFSR and HEC bid a farewell to trainees. They emphasized that this initiative reflects Prime Minister’s vision to strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture sector through technology adoption and research & development. Speakers encouraged graduates to develop skill-set on modern agricultural practices, learn from Chinese experience based on seven decade’s long proficiency on food security and transformation.
Graduates were advised to maintain discipline and to serve as a vehicle for strengthening Sino-Pak bilateral cooperation, in an arena of scientific and technical advancement.
Prime Minister’s initiative is a cornerstone of present government’s agenda to modernize agriculture, ensure food security and promote rural prosperity. Program focuses on investment in human capital expected to bring long-term dividends by transforming Pakistan’s agriculture industry into a more productive, sustainable, climate-resilient and export-oriented sector.
Earlier, 292 professional completed three months long training at Shaanxi-based institutions from 16th April to 17th July, 2025 and are returning home on morning of 21st July, 2025. Initiative is envisaged to open up new chapters of bilateral cooperation under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s framework.
The 100 agriculture graduates of Batch-II have now safely reached China and were warmly received by the university officials. The hosts extended gratitude and hospitality to the Pakistani delegation, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to agricultural advancement and strong bilateral cooperation.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
