A new cohort of 224 Pakistani agriculture graduates left for China on Friday as part of the Prime Minister’s Special Capacity-Building Initiative. The program aims to equip young professionals with advanced skills and modern knowledge to help transform Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, spoke at the send-off ceremony held at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), emphasizing the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture through technology transfer and international collaboration.
He highlighted China’s success in agricultural transformation, particularly in seed development, smart farming, crop breeding, and livestock management, as a model for Pakistan to follow.
“The trainees will return with advanced technical expertise and the confidence to drive change and uplift farming communities across Pakistan,” said Minister Hussain. He also noted that the program is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of creating a climate-resilient and innovative agricultural sector.
The trainees will receive specialized training in two prominent Chinese institutions. At the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU) in Shaanxi, participants will focus on crop genetic breeding, veterinary medicine, agricultural equipment, and animal genetics. Meanwhile, another group will train at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) in Wuhan, where they will learn about seed production and processing through a joint venture with Qingfa-Heshang Agricultural Development Company.
Minister Hussain commended the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) for its effective coordination with partner institutions like the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing. He also praised the program’s transparent, merit-based selection process, which ensured diverse representation from across Pakistan, including a dedicated quota for Balochistan.
The minister emphasized that investing in human capital is crucial for long-term agricultural growth, noting that these graduates will be instrumental in driving innovation and productivity in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He also reinforced that the program strengthens the Pakistan-China partnership, aligning with the broader goals of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Upon their return, the graduates are expected to play a key role in modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural practices, introducing climate-smart techniques, and enhancing the country’s agricultural exports.
