Global Rice News

Zeeshan Baig, General Manager at Syngenta Pakistan, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive government strategy to harness innovation, particularly in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. With China’s remarkable agricultural modernization serving as an example, Pakistan has the opportunity to revitalize its own agricultural industry.

Collaboration between Pakistan and China is mutually beneficial due to the diverse environmental conditions in both countries that are conducive to crop cultivation and livestock rearing. To make the most of this collaboration, Dr. Zahir Ahmed Zahir from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences and President of the Soil Science Society of Pakistan (SSSP) stressed the need for effective management of postharvest losses and research and development (R&D) collaboration with China to enhance the value of fruits and vegetables. Pakistan currently faces high postharvest losses of about 40% in the supply chain, resulting in significant waste and limited consumer access. By improving postharvest practices, reducing losses, and fostering value-added products and industries, Pakistan’s export of fruits and vegetables, which currently stands at $600 million, has the potential to reach $2 billion.

China’s expertise in rice cultivation is particularly relevant for Pakistan, which heavily relies on wheat. Chinese Scientist Dr. Yuan Longping, recognized as the father of hybrid rice, successfully developed high-yield hybrid rice varieties in 1972. China now boasts hundreds of hybrid varieties, ensuring food security and meeting local demand. Pakistan has also started cultivating rice varieties imported from China on two million acres of land in Sindh.

To ensure food security in Pakistan, Dr. Nihaluddin Marri, Agriculture Research Sindh Director Technical-I, highlighted the importance of enhancing high-yield hybrid wheat, optimizing storage systems, and managing population growth to prevent the conversion of agricultural land into housing schemes. These measures are crucial in the face of a rising population and diminishing agricultural land.

China’s agricultural production has evolved from focusing solely on food cultivation to a diversified portfolio that includes vegetables, fruits, livestock, and poultry farming. This diversification enhances resilience within the agricultural sector, mitigating risks associated with reliance on a single industry.

Pakistan can benefit from China’s agricultural modernization in several ways. Firstly, through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan can access opportunities for infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and technology transfer within the agricultural sector. Secondly, by drawing insights from China’s successful agricultural policies, planning, and management practices, Pakistan can overhaul its own agricultural productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Thirdly, Pakistan can tap into China’s vast market potential and meet its demand for agricultural products, particularly high-value and niche items like fruits and vegetables, thus boosting its export revenue. Lastly, China’s support can help Pakistan address various challenges in its agriculture sector, including climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and food safety concerns.

To leverage China’s expertise, Pakistan should embrace state-of-the-art machinery, cutting-edge components, and digital technologies in agriculture. These advancements lead to higher yields, increased resistance, and enhanced adaptability in crops. Research and development in biotechnology can also create high-yielding and climate-resilient crop varieties tailored to Pakistan’s unique agro-climatic conditions. Additionally, adopting smart and precision agriculture technologies, such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, sensors, and satellites, can optimize agricultural production and management.

Moreover, modern agricultural machinery and equipment, including tractors, harvesters, planters, sprayers, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, enhance the mechanization and automation of agricultural operations.

China’s successful emphasis on value addition and reducing losses can be adopted by Pakistan to minimize postharvest losses and waste. Collaboration with Chinese experts can help build capacity in postharvest technology and value addition. Pakistan can also benefit from the introduction and technology transfer of modern tools, equipment, and machinery for harvest, postharvest management, and packaging of fruits and vegetables. Development of value-added products, processing technology, and the exchange of promising cultivars of fruits and vegetable crops can further improve yield and quality. Automation of nursery technology through collaboration with Chinese research and development counterparts and implementation of quality seed production and processing technology are also important steps. Establishing food processing zones near CPEC can enhance value-added products and stimulate economic growth through agricultural export-led strategies.

In summary, Pakistan has the opportunity to learn from China’s agricultural modernization and leverage its expertise to revitalize its own agricultural sector. By adopting advanced technologies, enhancing collaboration, and focusing on value addition, Pakistan can overcome challenges and achieve sustainable agricultural development.

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