Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Strengthening China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation through networking and mobilization of research resources is greatly beneficial to tap the potential of human resources. It also elevates socio-economic status of farmers and add momentum to rural revitalization in Pakistan.
“A win-win situation can be achieved through the development of Pak-China schools in rural areas of Pakistan, strengthening bilateral institutional cooperation and business contacts and promoting the transformation from self-sufficient agriculture to commercial agriculture,” said Dr. Asif Ali,Vice Chancellor, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan.
Rural development is largely neglected in Pakistan but it actually affects agricultural development as a whole and food security in particular. Asif Ali in an interview with Gwadar Pro said that China’s rural development model had achieved remarkable results, which should be learned by Pakistan.
“It is imperative to carry out cultural exchanges and language education between the two countries for rural population at an early age.
Through the focus of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Phase II on agricultural cooperation and social livelihood, both countries can develop together.
Our cooperation in research and human resource training in Chinese Institute has made important progress. We have established Sino-Pak Agri-Biotechnology Lab and plan to set up a Confucius Institute to strengthen people-to-people exchanges,” he added.
Asif Ali further stated, “the faculty and staff of their university are connected with stakeholders, including farmers, agribusinesses, national and international partners, and members of society.
“ We also contact farmers through the project internship program, realizing the combination of theoretical knowledge and practice.
There are currently about 6,000 students from Pakistan pursuing PhD degrees in agricultural sciences in China who need to be trained in the target areas of the two countries, “ he added.
International collaboration in R&D and human resource exchange for thebetterment of agriculture is very important.
