ISLAMABAD
As a significant milestone in Pakistan-China agricultural cooperation, a cohort of 885 agricultural professionals, selected from across Pakistan, has successfully completed an intensive, advanced training at China’s leading universities and retuned home to serve as master trainers.
Under the Prime Minister’s Initiative for Capacity Building of 1000 Agricultural Graduates in China, the cohort was tasked with a critical mission of transferring cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to revolutionise Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
As of now, 648 male and 237 female professionals have completed their training in nine specialised areas in five premier Chinese universities and institutions.
As these trainees have returned home to implement their learning in local fields, the rest of 115 trainees are likely to proceed for the training in April 2026.
The training focused on nine priority areas to address specific challenges in Pakistan’s agriculture, including Farm Mechanisation: Modern Tools for Efficiency; Crop Speed Breeding: Cotton, Hybrid Rice, Vegetables, Pulses, Wheat, Alfalfa; High-Level Technologies: Drones, IoT, and AI Applications in Farming;
It is pertinent to mention here that this ambitious programme was initiated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and is being executed by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan in line with the guidance of Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
Seed Production: Advanced Processing Technologies; Livestock Health: Disease Surveillance Systems; Genomics: Livestock Breeding Improvements; Aquaculture: Shrimp Production and Processing; Water Management: High-efficacy Irrigation Systems; and Value Addition: Fruits & Vegetables Processing.
The progamme aims to modernise the nation’s agricultural landscape by bridging the knowledge gap through international cooperation.
Recognising China’s phenomenal success in agricultural technology and food security, the government proposed sending professionals to acquire hands-on expertise. The professionals were selected through a rigorous and inclusive process, drawing talent from federal and provincial research institutes, universities, and the private sector.
A special quota was allocated to ensure representation from all regions, particularly Balochistan. The primary outcome of this initiative is the creation of a cadre of ‘master trainers’. These professionals are now assigned to cascade their knowledge to thousands of local farmers, extension workers, and students.
By adopting Chinese techniques in crop breeding, water saving, and mechanisation, Pakistan aims to significantly boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and stimulate economic growth in rural areas. This programme also serves to deepen the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China, expanding cooperation from infrastructure to the vital agriculture sector.
