**Pakistan Sends Second Batch of Agricultural Graduates to China for Advanced Training**
In a bid to modernize its agricultural sector through the adoption of advanced technologies and research, Pakistan is dispatching its second group of 100 agricultural graduates to China for specialized training. Part of the Prime Minister’s flagship initiative targeting the capacity building of 1,000 professionals, this cohort will undertake a six-month intensive program focused on crop breeding and genomics at the Southwest University of Science and Technology.
The initiative seeks to leverage China’s expertise in climate-smart and technology-driven agriculture. Participants will gain hands-on exposure to innovative farming methods, aiming to replicate best practices within Pakistan’s agricultural landscape upon their return.
The program is being executed through collaboration among key government bodies, including the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MOITT), the Planning Commission, and the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing.
Ahead of the group’s departure, MNFSR held a pre-departure ceremony at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad. Officials from MNFSR, HEC, and other partner organizations briefed the young professionals on the training’s objectives and expectations. Emphasizing the significance of the initiative, speakers highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision to transform the nation’s agriculture sector via the adoption of advanced technology and robust research and development. Graduates were encouraged to maximize their learning experiences, uphold discipline, and serve as ambassadors for scientific and technical collaboration between Pakistan and China.
Officials described the program as a cornerstone of the government’s broader strategy to modernize agriculture, ensure long-term food security, and support rural development. They noted that investing in human capital through international exposure is expected to yield lasting benefits by making Pakistan’s agriculture sector more productive, resilient to climate change, and competitive in global markets.
This latest departure follows the successful completion of a three-month training program in Shaanxi, China, by a previous batch of 292 candidates. These earlier participants are scheduled to return to Pakistan, bringing back newly acquired knowledge and skills to contribute further to the sector’s development.
