ISLAMABAD: A cohort of around 300 Pakistani agricultural graduates has departed for China to undertake advanced training in agricultural and livestock technologies.
This group marks the first batch under the Prime Minister’s Initiative for Capacity Building of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China, launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
This ambitious program is designed to train young Pakistani agricultural experts in advanced practices at premier Chinese institutions renowned for their prowess in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock technology.
The graduates will hone their skills at the North West Agriculture & Forestry University and Yangling Vocational and Technical College, both acclaimed for their excellence in Agriculture, Food Technology, and Veterinary Sciences.
While seeing off the departing graduates at the airport, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said that Pakistan ranks among the world’s top ten agricultural producers.
He emphasized that agriculture is central to the nation’s development and teeming with untapped potential.
“You carry a significant responsibility to seize this golden opportunity, absorb the best practices in modern farm mechanization and technology, and implement your learnings back home in Pakistan,” the minister advised the outgoing youth.
He said that the training and exposure these graduates receive will equip them with vital skills to contribute to the evolution of the agricultural landscape in their country.
Reflecting on China’s remarkable journey out of poverty, the minister stressed the importance of political stability and consistent policies as cornerstones of a nation’s advancement.
He envisions strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural sector, aspiring for the nation to become a net exporter of agricultural products.
The minister encouraged the trainees to view this opportunity as a mission, to serve as brand ambassadors for Pakistan in China, and to uphold the trust placed in them with diligence and passion.
Conceived during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Yangling Agricultural Technology Demonstration Base in Shaanxi province last year, the ‘Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Initiative for Capacity Building of 1,000 Agricultural Graduates in China’ aims to offer a compact yet comprehensive training program.
Participants will gain insights into the evolution of Chinese agriculture, enriched by field visits to private and public sector farms, labs, and enterprises throughout China.
Graduates will engage in practical hands-on workshops and receive formal classroom instruction, with ongoing evaluations to measure their progress and skill acquisition.
