By Qudsia Bano ISLAMABAD, Feb. 10 (INP-WealthPK): The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Long Term Plan (LTP) places a strong emphasis on agriculture. Increasing crop yields, decreasing harvest and transportation losses, and connecting with cattle and dairy are some of the goals outlined in the strategy. It appears that the ultimate goal is to increase Pakistan's food exports to China. Agriculture is also a top priority for China's overseas investments in all nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Improved yields through superior seeds, farm machinery and the widespread adoption of drip irrigation technology, increased use of formal credit institutions for agri-lending, and better documentation of the rural economy, particularly its land registries, are among the top priorities of Pakistan regarding agricultural development. Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), and Sattar Agro and Livestock Ltd have recently signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the "Belt and Road Alliance for International Precision Agricultural Cooperation Initiative." The goal of the MoUs is to improve precision agriculture collaboration with BRI countries. According to Prof Luo Xiwen, a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician and former vice-president of South China Agricultural University, precision agriculture has become one of the world's agricultural development trends due to its numerous advantages and quick development. "Strengthening exchanges and collaboration with Belt and Road countries in precision agriculture has enormous and far-reaching importance," he added. Last month, Huazhong Agricultural University hosted the 3rd BRI Sino-Pakistan Agriculture Forum in Wuhan, China. Around 100 experts from Chinese and Pakistani agriculture institutes took part in the online and offline sessions. The experts examined bio-technology and cotton genetic enhancement, animal husbandry and disease management, crop functional genomics, horticulture and health, cross-border e-commerce, and digital agriculture technology cooperation in five sub-forums. China's next-door neighbour, Pakistan has a distinct edge, and CPEC offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalise on it. Agriculture development is one of the seven areas of collaboration under CPEC, with China particularly interested in cotton productivity, effective irrigation, and post-harvest infrastructure along the route. However, Pakistan must spend significantly on agriculture supply chain management. We lack adequate storage and transportation facilities, in particular cold storage and refrigerated transportation for perishable foods, especially meat and dairy goods. Acquiring these facilities would be critical in determining the future of agricultural commerce in both domestic and international markets. To gain presence in the Chinese market, the private sector and agri-businesses should take the lead and begin researching potential market opportunities and forging collaborations with multinational corporations. To boost product diversity and quality, the government and business sector should collaborate on research and development and post-harvest technology. Value chain expansion must also be prioritised. Fruit processing, for example, might command higher prices due to lower sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) needs and more consistent demand.