New symposium highlights joint plans for smart farming, crop innovation, and modern poultry investment
BEIJING: Pakistan and China are moving toward a deeper partnership in agriculture, education, and industrial development, as Chinese companies and research institutions express strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s farming and poultry sectors. This renewed momentum was highlighted during a high-level China-Pakistan symposium aimed at aligning scientific research with commercial opportunities.
The forum brought together senior academics, government officials, and business leaders from both countries to explore how technology and education can drive agricultural growth. Discussions centred on crop research, mechanisation, and the use of smart farming tools to improve productivity and water efficiency in Pakistan’s fields.
Experts from Pakistan’s agricultural community underlined the need for closer collaboration in precision agriculture and high-value crops. They noted that locally developed crop varieties already dominate much of Pakistan’s farmland, but stressed that advanced machinery, digital tools, and improved seed technology could further boost yields and resilience against climate stress.
Chinese agribusiness representatives outlined practical investment plans, including the introduction of high-density fruit cultivation systems designed to produce higher output while using significantly less water. Others confirmed preparations to establish modern poultry farming units in Pakistan, signalling confidence in the country’s livestock and meat markets.
Academic cooperation also emerged as a key pillar of the partnership. Hundreds of Pakistani students are currently studying agriculture-related subjects in Chinese universities, while exchange programmes and short-term training initiatives are helping young researchers gain exposure to smart agriculture and biotechnology. These efforts aim to build long-term human capacity alongside physical infrastructure.
Pakistan’s ambassador to China described agriculture as a strategic component of future China-Pakistan collaboration, noting that Pakistan’s natural resources and China’s technological expertise form a strong combination. He added that recently approved international cooperation frameworks would provide new platforms for joint projects in research and innovation.
Following the symposium, Chinese delegations undertook extensive visits across major agricultural regions in Pakistan, meeting farmers, inspecting food processing and poultry facilities, and engaging with national research institutions. Several agreements were concluded, setting the stage for joint laboratories, technology transfer centres, and demonstration farms. The developments point to a shift from dialogue to implementation, with agriculture and poultry emerging as priority areas in bilateral cooperation. As both countries prepare to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, the expanding focus on food security, education, and agri-industry signals a new phase in the China-Pakistan partnership built around shared economic and scientific goals.
