Advancing CPEC Agricultural Cooperation Projects Mark 10 Years of BRI
Published on: December 20, 2023.
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China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation Thrives as CPEC Progresses
Since the onset of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), significant strides have been made in agricultural cooperation between the two countries. A recent report titled “10 Years of Belt and Road Initiative – CPEC,” published by financial think-tank KASB | KTrade, highlights the success of the partnership.
One noteworthy development is the adoption of advanced Chinese agricultural technologies in Pakistan. These technologies have been instrumental in enhancing crop cultivation techniques within the country. Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza, an alumnus of China’s Sichuan Agricultural University, played a key role in introducing China’s maize-soybean strip intercropping technology to Pakistan. Alongside Professor Yang Wenyu, Dr. Raza successfully convinced around 200 farmers to embrace this innovative technique in 2022. Consequently, the demonstrative area for maize-soybean strip intercropping technology expanded to over 400 acres, a 2.67-fold increase from the previous autumn. This technology not only boosts agricultural productivity but also helps Pakistan decrease its reliance on soybean oil imports, ultimately preserving valuable foreign reserves.
Cooperation between Pakistan and China also extends to hybrid wheat and rice. Notably, Chinese hybrid wheat demonstration fields in Pakistan encompass an impressive 3,000 to 5,000 hectares. Given that 80 percent of Pakistani farmers focus on wheat production, the total wheat cultivation area accounts for a significant 40 percent of the country’s agricultural land. Hybrid wheat seeds exhibit a remarkable 40 percent higher yield per acre compared to conventional varieties. This increase in productivity will assist Pakistan in overcoming challenges posed by natural disasters like floods and enable the country to resume wheat exports, akin to the period between 2011 and 2013.
The successful collaboration between Pakistan and China serves as a testament to the fruitful bilateral ties fostered through CPEC. By harnessing cutting-edge agricultural practices, both nations are poised to achieve sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.
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