ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have further strengthened their agricultural cooperation with the inauguration of the Pak–China Innovation Agriculture Cooperation Centre at Kasuri Farms in Kasur, Punjab, marking a significant step toward modern, technology-driven farming in Pakistan.

The centre has been established by the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and is aimed at promoting advanced agricultural research, innovation, and technology transfer between the two countries.

Officials said the facility will focus on smart farming solutions, biotechnology, improved seed development, agricultural mechanisation, and climate-resilient farming practices. It is also expected to support farmer training programmes, applied research initiatives, and collaboration between academia, industry, and the farming community.

The centre builds on earlier Pakistan–China contract farming initiatives, including projects related to chili and sesame cultivation, which were launched to enhance crop productivity, provide farmers with technical assistance, and improve access to domestic and international markets.

According to officials, the Innovation Agriculture Cooperation Centre will serve as a platform for testing and demonstrating modern farming techniques under local conditions, enabling Pakistani farmers to benefit from Chinese expertise in precision agriculture and agri-technology.

They added that the initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader goals of improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable farming practices in the face of climate change. Strengthened cooperation with China in the agricultural sector is expected to play a key role in modernising Pakistan’s farming systems and boosting rural incomes.

The inauguration of the centre reflects the growing scope of Pakistan–China collaboration beyond infrastructure and energy projects, extending into agriculture as a strategic sector for economic development and innovation.