Azeem Ahmed Khan

 The Minister for Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has said that the third batch of 200 agricultural graduates will depart this month for China to undergo training at various leading Chinese institutions.

As part of a government-led initiative, around 1,000 Pakistani agricultural graduates are to undergo training at various leading Chinese institutions for periods ranging from three to six months, he said. The first batch of 292 graduates has completed their training and returned home on July 20, 2025. The second group of 100 trainees is currently studying in China, while a third batch of 200 will depart this month. The remaining 400 trainees will follow in subsequent phases, the minister told WealthPK.

The program aims to expose the participants to advanced agricultural technologies and modern farming methods, he said. “The short-term training is part of a broader Pakistan-China collaboration focused on building professional capacity, modernizing outdated agricultural practices, and addressing low productivity and food security challenges,” he added. The minister said that key training areas include seed processing, livestock genomics, efficient irrigation, mechanization, aquaculture, disease surveillance, and smart farming using drones, AI, and robotics.

The program also supports long-term development goals such as sustainable farming, climate-resilient crops, and job creation in rural areas, he added. The initiative also complements existing government efforts, including the Green Pakistan Initiative, solar-powered irrigation projects, and agricultural reforms under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, he said. It is expected to enhance export potential, improve product quality, and promote agro-based cottage industries, he added.

“Participants from the first batch received training at Northwest A&F University and Yangling Vocational and Technical College in Shaanxi Province. The second group is currently enrolled at Huazhong Agricultural University, and Southwest University of Science and Technology, the minister said. The training program was launched following the prime minister’s visit to China’s Yangling Agricultural Technology Demonstration Base last year. It is being implemented by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in coordination with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and other relevant agencies.

Tanveer said the training program marks a significant move toward modernizing agriculture, with the potential to boost Pakistan’s economy by driving innovation, promoting sustainability, and enhancing export competitiveness.

Tanveer said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aims to transform Pakistan into a global agricultural powerhouse by increasing productivity through satellite imaging, predictive analytics, and precision irrigation. He said the initiative reflects the prime minister’s vision of leveraging international expertise to overhaul the country’s agricultural sector. “Our ministry is making progress toward realizing this vision, and the training of agriculture graduates in China is a crucial first step,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk