300 Pakistani Agriculture Graduates Complete Training in China Under Bilateral Programme
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the successful completion of training for the first batch of 300 Pakistani agricultural graduates in Shaanxi province, China. The milestone marks a key achievement in the Pakistan-China Agricultural Training Programme, which aims to modernize Pakistan’s farming practices through international collaboration.
🌾 A Vision for Agricultural Modernization
The initiative, launched in July 2023, is designed to send 1,000 Pakistani students to China for advanced vocational training in areas such as:
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Modern irrigation techniques
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Seed development
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Livestock management
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Crop productivity
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Post-harvest loss reduction
The programme is fully funded by the government of Pakistan. While the first group began their training during the 2024–25 academic year, upcoming batches will receive Chinese language instruction in Pakistan before departing for China.
🤝 Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
In a recent post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister thanked the Chinese government, Shaanxi provincial authorities, and educational partners including:
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North West Agriculture and Forestry University
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Yangling Vocational and Technical College
He also recognized the contributions of the Ministry of National Food Security, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing for their roles in the programme’s success.
🎓 China Congratulates Graduates
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan also extended congratulations to the graduates, expressing confidence that they will contribute to Pakistan’s agricultural development and further enhance cooperation between the two countries.
📉 Sector Still Facing Challenges
Despite these efforts, the recently released Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25 reported that the agriculture sector—which constitutes around 25% of the country’s GDP—grew by just 0.6%, significantly lower than the 2% target. Key crops such as wheat, cotton, and maize also experienced a 13.5% decline, falling short of projections.
🚜 Government Commitment Continues
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly emphasized the importance of agriculture for Pakistan’s economic stability, vowing continued investment in training, research, and international partnerships.
