The China-Pakistan Donkey Industry Development Forum, themed “Creating Opportunities Together, Winning the Future Together,” was held in Islamabad on Thursday, aiming to transform the donkey industry into a modern driver of rural growth, agricultural cooperation, and economic diversification. The high-profile event brought together hundreds of industry experts, scholars, enterprise representatives, and government officials from both countries. It was co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK) and Sangyang Industrial (Beijing) Group Co., Ltd., with guidance from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR).

Speakers at the opening session included Amir Mohyuddin, Secretary MNFSR; Shi Yuanqiang, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy; Wang Huihua, Chairman of CCCPK; Liu Qiangde, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Animal Agriculture Association; and Professor Zhang Jianhua, Former Vice President of China Agricultural University. They emphasized that the donkey industry, as part of specialized livestock farming, carries significant potential to meet diverse market demands. They urged its development on modern lines of standardization, scalability, branding, and industrialization. The forum featured thematic sessions on conservation of donkey genetic resources, advanced breeding techniques, development trends in both countries, high-value utilization of by-products, digital transformation of the industry, and strategies for brand building and marketing. Experts presented research findings, shared practical insights, and offered solutions to improve efficiency and quality while tackling industry challenges.

Shi Yuanqiang congratulated participants, noting that donkey industry cooperation supports agricultural diversification and strengthens economic partnership between China and Pakistan. “It will inject new vitality into agricultural modernization, rural revitalization, and industrial chain development,” he said. On the policy side, MNFSR announced measures for developing export agreements, establishing regulatory frameworks, and curbing illegal slaughter and smuggling of donkey products. Meanwhile, CCCPK issued a Donkey Industry Self-Regulation Declaration, pledging legal compliance, sustainable practices, respect for local culture and religion, and protection of worker and community rights.

Several agreements were also signed, including a Letter of Intention between Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Sangyang Industrial (Beijing) Group; an MoU for the China-Pakistan Joint Laboratory for Donkey Industry Innovation; an MoU between Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Sangyang Global (Private) Ltd.; and a Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the Ejiao Industry Association of Dong’e County, Shandong Province, and Sangyang Global (Private) Ltd. Wen Ming, CEO of Sangyang Industrial, announced plans to develop Pakistan’s donkey industry through a contract farming model, expressing confidence that, with embassy guidance and government support, the sector could become sustainable, high-quality, and eco-friendly.

Professor Zeng Shenming of China Agricultural University highlighted the role of technological innovation. He stressed the need to improve breeding, nutritional standards, feeding precision, and processing technologies, alongside integrating data and smart management to cut costs and enhance competitiveness. The forum served as a high-level platform for international exchange and cooperation in the donkey industry, highlighting its vast potential in both China and Pakistan. Participants pledged to strengthen communication, build consensus, and drive innovation in technology, structure, and value creation. They agreed these efforts would boost rural economies, increase farmer incomes, and meet the rising aspirations of people in both countries for a better standard of living.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China