China’s Agricultural Success Model to Guide Training of Pakistani Experts, Says Prof Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a significant meeting today regarding the training of 1,000 agricultural experts in China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

During the meeting, Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the strategic vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, under whose directive this initiative is being carried out.

The primary objective is to send 1,000 agricultural professionals to China for advanced training in modern farming techniques and technologies.

China, which has emerged as one of the most successful development models in the world over the past 30 years, has achieved remarkable progress in both industry and agriculture. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, China has significantly increased its agricultural productivity, particularly in the development of high-yield seeds through research and in enhancing livestock productivity through modern techniques.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision is to place agriculture at the heart of Pakistan's national development agenda. Pakistan is endowed with vast natural resources in the agricultural sector, including fertile land, water resources, hardworking people, and intellectual talent.

If the resources are harnessed and utilized effectively, Pakistan has the potential to become a major exporter of agricultural products, generating billions of dollars in revenue.

Currently, the country imports agricultural commodities worth approximately $10 billion, placing a significant burden on the economy.

Professor Iqbal expressed confidence that the 1,000 young professionals selected for this program will return with advanced knowledge and skills, helping to usher in a new agricultural revolution in Pakistan. He emphasized that this initiative, which he referred to as "Green Revolution 2.0," will play a crucial role in transforming Pakistan's agricultural landscape. The Prime Minister has also directed that the selection process for these professionals be conducted with the utmost transparency and merit, ensuring representation from all provinces, with a special quota allocated for Balochistan.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal further elaborated on Pakistan's current agricultural standing, noting that while the country is among the top ten producers globally in many commodities, its productivity per unit remains low. For example, Pakistan is the third-largest milk producer globally, but the average yield per animal is only 1,500 liters annually, compared to 6,000 to 8,000 liters in other parts of the world. By adopting modern technologies in crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane, as well as in the dairy and livestock sectors, Pakistan can significantly increase its production.

Unfortunately, Pakistan currently imports $8-10 billion worth of agricultural products, whereas it should be exporting agricultural goods of the same value. The Prime Minister's revolutionary program aims to address this imbalance by sending 1,000 of Pakistan's agricultural experts to China for three to six months of advanced training. These professionals will work in China's state-of-the-art laboratories, collaborate with Chinese experts, and gain hands-on experience in applying this knowledge in the field.

This program is designed to be inclusive, with participation from all provinces and an additional quota for Balochistan. The aim is to accelerate agricultural development across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, through these trained experts.

Professor Iqbal expressed his hope that this program will contribute to achieving national self-sufficiency and transforming Pakistan into a model of modern agriculture on the global stage.

In his remarks, Federal Minister for Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, commended the Planning Minister for his support in finalizing this program. He highlighted that the Prime Minister's priority is to revitalize Pakistan's economy and achieve the status of the 24th largest economy, as it was in 2017. Agriculture, he noted, is the most promising sector in achieving this goal. The training these professionals will receive in China will enable them to apply modern techniques in Pakistan, doubling or even tripling the country's agricultural productivity.