Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: To offer cooperation in agriculture mechanisation for the improvement of crops’ yield and seeds’ quality, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) is interested in setting up an Agriculture, Science and Technology Transferring Center in Pakistan.
This was stated by Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs.
“Initially, the centre will be established on a G2G aid basis with an estimated amount of US$ 50 million, ” he said adding Chinese companies with research and expertise in agriculture are coming to the country for joint ventures (JVs) with Pakistani farmers.
The centre will train Pakistani farmers in agriculture mechanisation, he said. “There will be demonstrations and training of the farmers.
About the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China, Mansoor said that Chinese company Zhengbang Group is establishing a factory inside M-3 in Pakistan.
The company showed interest in a JV in Pakistan. Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), the largest fertilizer company of Pakistan, and Zhengbang Group have signed an MoU for a JV in feticides, cattle and poultry feed and cottage farming.
“They will coordinate and would work jointly,” he said, adding the Chinese company is also interested in soybean and makhi farming in Pakistan; they will export the products to China. “It will be an export-oriented venture,” he said.
Khalid Mansoor informed that the Royal Group of China would invest in Pakistan. They want to set up “foot and mouth disease-free” farms of buffalos. According to him, with an investment of US$ 50 million, Royal Group wanted to start four large farms with 8000 animals with processing milk units. “It will also bring value-added products including milk powder, cheese, and package milk,” said Mr Mansoor.
According to him, Royal Group is expected to enter into a JV with FFC or Fauji Foundation.
