Gansu will transfer modern Chinese agricultural science and technology particularly applicable to arid and semi-arid regions to Pakistan.This was stated during memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GAAS), China and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), Pakistan held online, according to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN).

Sharing similarities in climate, crop types and environment, based on the MoU, the Chinese agricultural technologies of efficient use of water and fertilizer with drip irrigation under mulch, farmland water utilization and regulation with plastic-film mulching on dryland, green and high-yield planting of potatoes in semi-arid areas, breeding and quality control of virus-free seed potato, storage and cold chain logistics of fruit and vegetable, fruit germplasm resources in cold and arid regions, solar greenhouse and related vegetable culture, forage sorghum cultivation and feeding, high-yield cultivation of melon in semi-arid areas, breeding and release of crop new cultivars of wheat, potato, rape, flakes, minor, etc. in cold and arid regions, etc. will be transferred from GAAS to IUB in the near future, which are urgently needed by Pakistan at the current stage and are expected to give new impetus to Pakistan’s agricultural progress.

Most notably, both parties agreed to establish China-Pakistan Crop Research Center, focusing on high yield and high-quality composite crops, to cooperate in research, demonstration, and promotion of variety selection, optimization of cultivation technology, plant protection, and agricultural mechanization. “GAAS scientific research achievements’ overseas development will support countries along the Belt and Road route like Pakistan to upgrade its agricultural sector. We’re looking forward to GAAS-IUB contribution to sustainable and high quality agricultural development of the two countries.” Dr. Ma Zhongming, GAAS President remarked.

“The collaboration between GAAS and IUB will benefit people of both countries. We believe the cooperation will further strengthen Pak-Sino friendship and exchanges between the two peoples, and promote sustainable development for our next generations,” Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor, IUB said.

Credit: independent News Pakistan-INP