To mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a series of events were held on October 12 with the support of KASB KTrade Securities.  This included an agriculture roundtable seminar that brought together experts and practitioners from the industry, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Friday. The experts highlighted various subjects such as the Green Pakistan Initiative, Chinese investments in agri-sectors, and the potential of the dairy industry.  The discussion also touched on food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Syed Nasir Mahmood, former Inspector General of Forestry at the Ministry of Agriculture, stressed the significance of conserving natural ecosystems and adopting sustainable farming methods.  He pointed out that carbon credits, which allow countries to emit a specified amount of carbon dioxide, hold economic potential.  Mahmood also touched on the vital roles of biodiversity and forest therapy, proposing that preserving nature could not only provide health advantages but also foster a more robust ecosystem. 

Furthermore, he called for broad awareness among industries, policy makers, and the general public, emphasizing the alignment of environmental prosperity with financial and economic well-being. Peter Huang, Commercial Head at LTEC International Agriculture Development Co., Ltd., believes that Chinese companies are expected to bring much-needed capital and technological know-how to the Pakistani farming sector.  He particularly emphasized the chili industry, discussing their plans to improve farming practices and productivity. 

“Our goal is to assist Pakistan in exporting high-quality chili, with a value of more than $300 million by 2026."  Huang revealed that currently, he and his company are focusing on providing better seeds, introducing advanced farming practices, and offering necessary training to local farmers. These efforts are expected to boost the yield and quality of the chilis, making them more competitive in the international market. Maj Gen Tahir Aslam, Managing Director and CEO of FonGrow, noted that Pakistan's farming practices are currently inefficient, particularly in terms of water and fertilizer usage. 

He emphasized the need to improve the quality of seeds, introduce efficient farming practices, and leverage technology and data to enhance productivity.  Furthermore, he underscored the necessity for a comprehensive modernization drive within Pakistan's agricultural landscape.  This extends beyond the realm of mere tractorization to encompass the implementation of technology-driven farming models, akin to those successfully employed in countries like the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Hafiz Sajjad Hussain, Head Procurement Fauji Foods gave special focus to the dairy sector, where despite a substantial animal population, productivity remains comparatively low.  He emphasized the pivotal role of genetic enhancement in boosting productivity, thereby rendering the industry more financially viable and ecologically sound. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China