China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation: A Green Engine of Economic Transformation 中巴农业合作：经济转型的绿色引擎

（下边有中文翻译请继续看到底。 谢谢。）

Agriculture has long stood as the backbone of national economies, and in the case of Pakistan and China, it serves as a foundation for an enduring, mutually beneficial relationship. As China and Pakistan continue to deepen their ties through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—agriculture has emerged as a central pillar of cooperation, promise, and prosperity.

While infrastructure and energy projects dominated the first phase of CPEC, Phase II is ushering in a new era—an era of agricultural modernization, scientific collaboration, technology transfer, and trade expansion. The significance of this transformation cannot be overstated. It holds the power to uplift rural communities, enhance food security, reduce poverty, and drive inclusive growth in Pakistan. More importantly, it stands as a living testament to the strength and sincerity of China-Pakistan friendship.

A Historical Inspiration: China’s Own Agricultural Revolution

To truly appreciate the scope and potential of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation, one must first revisit China’s own transformation. When China launched its reform and opening-up in 1978, it began with agriculture. Between 1978 and 1984, China successfully lifted around 500 million people out of poverty—an unparalleled feat in human history. The success was not accidental. It was achieved through pragmatic policy reforms, incentives for farmers, land responsibility systems, and most critically, the use of science and technology to modernize the agri-sector.

From being a food-deficient country where even three meals a day were once a challenge, China evolved into a food-secure nation and eventually a net exporter of agricultural products. This transformation continues to serve as an inspiring model for Pakistan. Despite entering the era of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and smart cities, China has never sidelined agriculture. Instead, it remains central to its economic vision, food sovereignty, and rural revitalization strategies.

Pakistan’s Potential: Fertile Land, Abundant Water, Willing Workforce

Pakistan is endowed with over 80 million hectares of cultivable land, a vast irrigation network—one of the world’s largest—and a hardworking agrarian population. However, like many developing nations, Pakistan’s agriculture sector has long been constrained by outdated methods, low yields, post-harvest losses, and lack of value addition. These challenges, though persistent, are not insurmountable—especially when a trusted and experienced friend like China steps forward with open arms, advanced technologies, and decades of experience.

A Transformative Partnership Under CPEC Phase II

The China-Pakistan agricultural partnership under CPEC is now gaining remarkable momentum. On July 3rd, a major milestone was achieved when the China-Pakistan High-Quality Agricultural Cooperation Development Forum was held in Islamabad. Organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), and attended by senior officials, experts, and industry leaders from both nations, the seminar showcased the depth, diversity, and dynamism of this growing partnership.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Minister and Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, articulated a clear message: “China has always maintained openness and worked with other countries to enhance agricultural technology, share agricultural product markets and development experiences.”

This spirit of openness, trust, and mutual development reflects not only China’s foreign policy ethos but also the profound depth of its ties with Pakistan.

Key Achievements and Outcomes

Over the past three years, the fruits of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation have been both visible and impactful:

Nine New Protocols for Pakistani Agricultural Exports: These protocols have facilitated bilateral agricultural trade of over $1 billion annually, with Pakistan enjoying a consistent trade surplus.

Diversification of Exports: Pakistan has successfully exported heat-treated beef, fresh cherries, and frozen buffalo embryos to China. These are firsts in Pakistan’s export history and demonstrate its growing capacity to meet international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

Buffalo Dairy Products: In February this year, Pakistan’s high-value buffalo dairy products reached China for the first time. By June, 655 tons had been exported—an impressive achievement that opens up new revenue streams for dairy farmers and processors.

Sesame Exports: In just the first five months of 2025, Pakistan’s sesame exports to China exceeded $50 million, a 33% year-on-year increase, making sesame the top agricultural export to China.

These are not isolated statistics; they are indicators of deeper structural progress. Pakistan’s agri-sector is gradually evolving from subsistence farming to commercial, export-oriented, and technology-driven agriculture.

Science, Technology, and Modernization: Learning from the Best

China has made it clear that it is ready and willing to transfer modern agricultural technologies to Pakistan. Whether it is drip irrigation, high-yield hybrid seeds, greenhouse farming, smart sensors, mechanization, or climate-resilient crops, China’s vast agricultural research ecosystem can play a transformative role in building Pakistan’s capacity.

Moreover, partnerships with Chinese research institutions and universities offer Pakistan opportunities to train its young agricultural scientists and engineers. Joint ventures and demonstration farms are being developed where new technologies are tested and adapted to local conditions.

As Mr. Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research of Pakistan, highlighted during the seminar: “We believe that public-private partnerships are essential to modernizing agriculture and ensuring food security for the future.”

This approach is aligned with China’s own successful experience, where coordinated government policy, private enterprise innovation, and grassroots participation have worked together to modernize rural life.

A Role Model for South-South Cooperation

Agriculture is not only an economic sector—it is a source of employment, culture, identity, and resilience. In this context, China-Pakistan cooperation is emerging as a model of South-South collaboration that is rooted in mutual respect, shared challenges, and collective goals.

China’s commitment to working with international organizations like the FAO further strengthens this narrative. As Mrs. Amina Bajwa, Head of Programme at FAO Pakistan, rightly pointed out: “These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable farming systems… They also demonstrate the power of cooperation, not just between governments, but between private enterprises, researchers, and local communities.”

Future Prospects: From Green Fields to Green Economy

Looking ahead, the opportunities are vast. Pakistan can benefit immensely from expanding areas of cooperation such as:

Agri-industrial parks and processing zones to reduce post-harvest losses and increase exports.

Cold chain logistics to ensure freshness and reduce spoilage.

E-commerce platforms to enable Pakistani farmers to directly access Chinese markets.

Joint breeding programs for high-yield and pest-resistant varieties.

Agro-financing mechanisms to empower small and medium farmers.

Organic and halal certifications to capture niche markets abroad.

Furthermore, climate-smart agriculture and water-efficient technologies are crucial areas where Chinese experience can help Pakistan face its environmental challenges with resilience and innovation.

Cultivating a Shared Future

The China-Pakistan agricultural partnership is more than a bilateral initiative—it is a story of hope, a symbol of solidarity, and a catalyst for change. It is proof that when nations cooperate with sincerity, respect, and purpose, they can overcome any challenge—be it poverty, food insecurity, or climate change.

As agriculture emerges as a central pillar of the CPEC framework, both nations are sowing the seeds of a prosperous future. Together, they are cultivating not only crops and livestock but also dreams, dignity, and development.

In the words of Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, “It is imperative for us to deepen international cooperation to promote agricultural development.” Pakistan and China are doing just that—side by side, hand in hand, field by field.

Let us continue nurturing this green alliance—for a food-secure, prosperous, and peaceful tomorrow.

农业长期以来一直是国民经济的支柱，在巴基斯坦和中国的情况下，农业是持久互利关系的基础。随着中国和巴基斯坦通过“一带一路”倡议的旗舰项目——中巴经济走廊（CPEC）继续深化两国关系，农业已成为合作、承诺和繁荣的核心支柱。

中巴经济走廊第一阶段以基础设施和能源项目为主，第二阶段将迎来农业现代化、科技合作、技术转让和贸易扩张的新时代。这种转变的重要性怎么强调都不过分。它有能力提升农村社区，加强粮食安全，减少贫困，推动巴基斯坦的包容性增长。更重要的是，它是中巴友谊的坚实和真诚的生动见证。

历史启示：中国自己的农业革命

要真正认识中巴农业合作的空间和潜力，首先要审视中国的转型。1978年，中国开始改革开放，首先从农业开始。从1978年到1984年，中国成功地使大约5亿人摆脱了贫困，这是人类历史上无与伦比的壮举。这一成功并非偶然。这是通过务实的政策改革、对农民的激励、土地责任制，以及最重要的是利用科学技术使农业部门现代化来实现的。

中国从一个一度连一日三餐都吃不上饭的缺粮国，发展成为一个粮食安全的国家，并最终成为农产品净出口国。这种转变继续成为巴基斯坦鼓舞人心的榜样。尽管进入了人工智能、数字技术和智慧城市时代，但中国从未放弃农业。相反，它仍然是其经济愿景、粮食主权和乡村振兴战略的核心。

巴基斯坦的潜力：肥沃的土地，丰富的水资源，愿意工作的劳动力

巴基斯坦拥有超过8000万公顷的可耕地，庞大的灌溉网络——世界上最大的灌溉网络之一——以及勤劳的农业人口。然而，与许多发展中国家一样，巴基斯坦的农业部门长期受到过时的方法、低产量、收获后损失和缺乏附加值的制约。这些挑战虽然持续存在，但并非不可克服——尤其是当像中国这样值得信赖和经验丰富的朋友张开双臂，带着先进的技术和数十年的经验向前迈进时。

中巴经济走廊第二阶段的变革性伙伴关系

中巴经济走廊农业伙伴关系发展势头强劲。7月3日，中巴农业高质量合作发展论坛在伊斯兰堡举行，这是一个重要的里程碑。研讨会由巴基斯坦中国商会组织，两国高级官员、专家和行业领袖出席，展示了这一不断发展的伙伴关系的深度、多样性和活力。

中国驻巴基斯坦大使馆公使兼临时代办石元强在活动上发表讲话时明确表示：“中国始终保持开放，愿与各国加强农业技术合作，分享农产品市场和发展经验。”

这种开放、信任、共同发展的精神不仅体现了中国的外交精神，也体现了中巴关系的深厚底蕴。

主要成就和成果

3年来，中巴农业合作成果有目共睹，成效显著。

巴基斯坦农产品出口的九项新议定书：这些议定书促进了每年超过10亿美元的双边农业贸易，巴基斯坦一直享有贸易顺差。

出口多样化：巴基斯坦已成功向中国出口热处理牛肉、新鲜樱桃和冷冻水牛胚胎。这是巴基斯坦出口历史上的第一次，表明其满足国际卫生和植物检疫标准的能力日益增强。

水牛乳制品：今年2月，巴基斯坦高价值水牛乳制品首次进入中国。到6月，出口了655吨——这是一个令人印象深刻的成就，为奶农和加工商开辟了新的收入来源。

芝麻出口：仅在2025年的前5个月，巴基斯坦对华芝麻出口就超过5000万美元，同比增长33%，使芝麻成为对华最大的农产品出口。

这些不是孤立的统计数据；它们是更深层次结构性进步的指标。巴基斯坦的农业部门正逐步从自给农业向商业、出口导向型和技术驱动型农业发展。

科学、技术和现代化：向最好的学习

中方已明确表示愿意并愿意向巴方转让现代农业技术。无论是滴灌、高产杂交种子、温室农业、智能传感器、机械化还是气候适应型作物，中国庞大的农业研究生态系统都可以在巴基斯坦的能力建设中发挥变革性作用。

此外，与中国研究机构和大学的伙伴关系为巴基斯坦提供了培训年轻农业科学家和工程师的机会。正在开发合资企业和示范农场，在那里测试新技术并使其适应当地条件。

正如巴基斯坦国家粮食安全和研究部联邦秘书Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry先生在研讨会上强调的那样，“我们认为公私伙伴关系对于实现农业现代化和确保未来的粮食安全至关重要。”

这种方法与中国自身的成功经验是一致的，在中国，协调的政府政策、私营企业创新和基层参与共同推动了农村生活的现代化。

南南合作的典范

农业不仅是一个经济部门，也是就业、文化、身份和复原力的源泉。在此背景下，中巴合作正在成为基于相互尊重、共同挑战和共同目标的南南合作的典范。

中国与粮农组织等国际组织合作的承诺进一步强化了这一说法。正如粮农组织巴基斯坦办事处项目负责人Amina Bajwa女士正确指出的那样：“这些举措反映了我们对创新、技术转让和可持续农业系统的共同承诺……它们也展示了合作的力量，不仅在政府之间，而且在私营企业、研究人员和当地社区之间。”

未来展望：从绿地到绿色经济

展望未来，机遇巨大。巴基斯坦可以从扩大合作领域中获益匪浅，例如：

农业工业园区和加工区将减少收获后损失并增加出口。

冷链物流用于保证新鲜度和减少腐败。

电子商务平台使巴基斯坦农民能够直接进入中国市场。

联合培育高产抗虫品种。

增强中小农民权能的农业融资机制。

有机和清真认证，以抓住国外的利基市场。

此外，气候智慧型农业和节水技术是中国经验可以帮助巴基斯坦以韧性和创新应对环境挑战的关键领域。

构建命运共同体

中巴农业伙伴关系不仅仅是一个双边倡议——它是一个希望的故事，是团结的象征，是变革的催化剂。这证明，当各国真诚、尊重和有目标地合作时，它们可以克服任何挑战——无论是贫困、粮食不安全还是气候变化。

随着农业成为中巴经济走廊框架的核心支柱，两国正在播下繁荣未来的种子。他们共同培育的不仅是农作物和牲畜，还有梦想、尊严和发展。

用施元强先生的话说：“深化国际合作，促进农业发展势在必行。”巴基斯坦和中国正在这样做——肩并肩，手拉手，一场接一场。

让我们继续培育这一绿色联盟，以实现粮食安全、繁荣与和平的明天。

(  注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)

Reference Link:- https://www2.apdnews.cn/en/item/25/0707/axjfazzdb7dad7531bcef1.html