Pakistan Sends Agricultural Graduates to China for Skill Boost
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a transformative initiative to send 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for advanced training. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Aeroponics Complex for Potato Seed Production at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), underscoring the government’s commitment to modernising Pakistan’s agricultural landscape.
Recognising agriculture as the backbone of the nation’s economy, with 65% of the population engaged in this sector, PM Shehbaz emphasised the urgent need for innovation and upskilling. The selected graduates will undergo specialised training in China, focusing on cutting-edge farming techniques, modern agricultural technologies, and sustainable practices aimed at boosting productivity and addressing key sectoral challenges.
The goal of this initiative is to develop a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in agriculture, ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth and food security of the country.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the Republic of Korea for supporting the establishment of the Aeroponics Complex, acknowledging their role as a valuable economic partner. He called for greater international collaboration to enhance development in agriculture and other vital sectors.
PM Shehbaz also stressed the need for increasing per-acre yields in major crops such as cotton and sugarcane, and highlighted the importance of empowering rural communities by promoting small and medium enterprises.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Agriculture Tubewell Solarization project in Lahore. The project supports sustainable agriculture through energy efficiency, offering significant financial subsidies to farmers for installing solar systems. The provincial government will provide Rs. 500,000 for 10kW, Rs. 750,000 for 15kW, and Rs. 1,000,000 for 20kW systems. In the first phase, 8,000 tube wells will be converted to solar energy through a transparent balloting process, setting a precedent for greener and more cost-effective farming.