Islamabad: Pakistan is set to send 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for advanced training as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing skills in modern agriculture. The program will provide three- and six-month training opportunities at leading Chinese institutions, with the first group of 300 students scheduled to leave in March 2025.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, this initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the National Information Technology Board (NITB). Training will take place at Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University and Yangling Vocational and Technical College in Shaanxi Province.

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, who chaired a meeting to review the program, stressed the importance of expediting the dispatch process and ensuring maximum support for the students. The ministry is coordinating with Chinese authorities and financial institutions to streamline logistical arrangements.

The Economic Coordination Committee has allocated Rs. 3,072.056 million for this program, with funds distributed through the HEC. The government has emphasized merit-based selection, with an additional 10% quota for students from Balochistan.

The meeting also covered plans for a Joint Working Group meeting with China next month to further discuss collaboration in agricultural education and training. The initiative aims to equip young professionals with knowledge in mechanization, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, irrigation systems, and value chain development, thereby strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural sector.