Global Rice News

Plump rice grains, sweet melons, and fragrant sesames are just a few of the many agricultural products on display at the 2023 China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). This event has showcased an impressive range of agricultural products, garnering praise from visitors. One such exhibitor, Syngenta Group China, highlighted the potential of their cooperation with Pakistan in the agricultural field, particularly in the area of the Agriculture Value Chain (AVC).

The AVC model involves supplying inputs and production services to farmers and bartering with entities in core producing areas for essential agricultural products. This model effectively connects China’s agricultural product market demand with the global upstream and downstream chains, bringing practical benefits to farmers in Pakistan. Syngenta Group believes that this cooperation has great potential and is excited about the opportunities it presents.

In Pakistan, sesame cultivation has tripled over the past five years, with approximately 600,000 acres dedicated to sesame farming. The yield per acre is about 0.5 tons, and a significant portion of Pakistan’s sesame production is exported, with China being the largest destination, accounting for over one-third of the exports. Syngenta Group’s global AVC aims to link high-quality sesame produced by Pakistani growers with international value chain partners, primarily in China.

To support farmers in Pakistan, Syngenta Group launched the APAC’s first Centrigo Flagship Center in Okara, Punjab, in May 2023. This center serves over 500 farmers, covering more than 10,000 acres of farming land used for potatoes, corn, rice, vegetables, and sesame. The center provides top-quality agronomy inputs, including seeds, fertilizer, and crop protection, as well as services like drone spraying and farm mechanization. Through this farming ecosystem, local farmers are achieving higher yields and return on investment.

Mian Bashir Ahmad, one of the sesame growers benefiting from the protocols implemented by the Centrigo Flagship Center, shared his satisfaction with the support received. With 150 acres of farmland, 20 acres dedicated to sesame, Ahmad’s yields increased by 10 percent due to the guidance and insecticide spraying provided by the center. As a result of the improved quality of his exported sesame, Ahmad received a price that was 30 percent higher than the average market price.

The collaboration between Syngenta Group and Pakistan through the AVC model not only benefits local farmers by increasing production and income but also contributes to China’s efforts to diversify its domestic edible grain and oil imports. This partnership operates within the global supply chain system, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Source: [China Economic Net](http://en.ce.cn)