LAHORE: Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President FPCCI, has called for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and China on the occasion of Anhui – Pakistan International Agricultural Cooperation and Development Forum in China.
Agricultural development and modernization of Pakistan should take prominence in CPEC as Pakistan is facing existential threats vis-à-vis food security for its 240 million populace, he added.
Irfan Iqbal also said that creation of modern transportation and logistics infrastructure to facilitate the efficient movement of agricultural products; along with technology transfer from China can improve crop yields; modernize irrigation methods and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, an expanded access to Chinese market for agricultural products through reduced trade barriers and streamlined regulations can facilitate Pakistan’s agricultural exports.
Muhammad Suleman Chawla maintained that FPCCI wants Pakistan to fully capitalize the potential of agricultural development in Pakistan with the help of China and a blueprint needs to chalk out. He also said we should focus on developing friendly policies and regulations for Pakistan. China and Pakistan can make policies which favor agricultural development and trade between the two countries.
Both countries could facilitate the exchange of information, research and best practices in agriculture. They can develop business networking for promoting partnerships and collaborations between businesses in China and Pakistan.
They can also work together for capacity building and organizing training programs and workshops to enhance the skills of our agricultural workforce to transform them into skilled workforce for the modern practices in agriculture.
Elaborating upon the agricultural performance of Pakistan during FY22, Muhammad Suleman Chawla said that consequent to the floods in 2022, the Rabi Season crops have shown higher yield, which compensated the crop damages of the Kharif Season – leading to an overall growth of agriculture sector to 1.55 percent in FY22.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023