Pakistan, China ties a model for other countries: minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China enjoy an excellent relationship, which is a model for other countries, a senior government official said.

During a meeting with Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan Nong Rong, who called on him in his office, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam said that Pakistan and China should enhance their relationship regarding to agro-economy.

The two dignitaries agreed to explore and enhance relationship in the following areas in the future: Production of agriculture inputs, particularly pesticides, fertiliser, machinery and support services, including agricultural education and research; agricultural infrastructure in the regions along the CPEC; crop farming, livestock breeding, forestry and food growing, and aquatic and fishery in the regions along the CPEC, development of comprehensive agricultural production capacity, construction of farmland water conservancy facility and agricultural products circulation facility.

Both sides will also collaborate in forestry, horticulture, fisheries and livestock medicines and vaccines, and also strengthen production of horticultural products.

Imam said that the trade between the two countries can achieve new heights if Pakistan enhances exports of fruits, vegetables and rice to China.

Pakistan has a huge export potential in terms of vegetables and fruits such as mango, citrus fruits, apple, cherries, etc, he said, adding that the trade between the two countries has a huge potential and can be increased significantly.

The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan has put high priority on the development of high-tech, construction and agriculture sectors.

The technological exchange between China and Pakistan can enhance the agricultural sector of the country, he said.

The two dignitaries also agreed to sign two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to enhance export of onion to China and to introduce revolutionary Chinese Juncao technology.

The Chinese ambassador said Juncao technology allows farmers to grow different types of nutritional mushrooms from chopped grasses without cutting down trees and damaging the environment.

He said it can be used for producing feed, biogas and also minimise soil erosion to combat desertification, adding that the farmers can generate income in 7 to 10 days after planting mushroom substrate packs.

The ambassador said one hectare land produces 300 tonnes of fresh grass/annum, which can grow 120 tonnes of fresh mushroom or feed 300 goats.

It resolves the forage shortage in the winter season, as well, he said, adding that 13 centres of this technology have been set up globally and the next will be set up in Pakistan.

The ambassador also said three-tier exchanges should be promoted: the government-to-government, business-to-business and research-to-research.

He said that PARC and Agricultural Research Institute of Beijing should take the lead on research-based exchange of technology, adding that the agricultural yield in Pakistan is almost half of that of China and the latest technological advances in agriculture can uplift the agro-economy of Pakistan.

Rong said that the agricultural bilateral trade between the two countries has immense potential, adding that the exchange of agricultural technologies can enhance the productivity of agriculture in Pakistan and; thus, should be a primary area of focus.

Both the dignitaries agreed to enhance trade and exchange of technologies in the agriculture sector. Imam said that the cooperation among countries at every level needs to be increased if the world wants to move towards sustainable and nature-friendly development.

The two dignitaries agreed to sign more MoUs to increase trade among the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by the senior officials of the ministry.