Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underscored the government’s pledge to overhaul Pakistan’s agriculture sector, viewing it as pivotal for sustainable economic development. At a ceremony dedicated to the capacity building of 1,000 agriculture graduates in China, the Prime Minister emphasized enhancing agricultural practices to secure food supplies, elevate exports, and uplift the livelihoods of farmers.

The initiative will see 300 graduates embarking on a three-month training program in China during the first phase, followed by 400 graduates for six months in the second phase, and the remaining 300 for another three months in the final phase. Sharif expressed optimism that these graduates would return to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s agricultural economy.

Sharif recounted his inspiration from a visit to Chinese universities, praising their research in agriculture. He regretted earlier setbacks due to flawed selection processes but noted improvements with the establishment of an online application portal ensuring transparency and merit. The initiative includes graduates from across Pakistan, with increased quotas for Balochistan.

Highlighting China’s unwavering support, Sharif acknowledged its critical role in the recent agreement with the International Monetary Fund. He urged graduates to apply modern agricultural techniques learned in China to enhance crop yields, particularly cotton. Additionally, the government plans to offer subsidized loans to farmers for ventures in value-added agriculture.

Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed the government’s focus on boosting agricultural and livestock productivity under Sharif’s leadership.