Recorder Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have stepped up efforts to operationalise cooperation in high-tech agriculture, with Ambassador Khalil Hashmi proposing joint smart greenhouse projects and institutional linkages during his visit to Shouguang city in China’s Shandong province.

The development came as Pakistan was designated Guest Country of Honour at the 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science & Technology Expo — a symbolic and strategic move coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations, underscoring Beijing’s intent to deepen sector-specific cooperation, particularly in agriculture.

During meetings with Shouguang Mayor Zhao Tianbao, the envoy was briefed on the city’s globally recognised model of integrated agri-value chains and smart greenhouse technologies. In response, Ambassador Hashmi highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural potential while identifying critical gaps in technology, yield optimisation, and climate-resilient farming, where Chinese expertise could play a transformative role.

Both sides moved beyond intent to discuss concrete proposals, including pilot projects in Pakistan focused on protected cultivation and smart greenhouse farming, signalling a shift from traditional cooperation to applied, technology-driven partnerships.

The ambassador’s engagements included visits to Shandong Lisente Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. and a modern agricultural high-tech demonstration base, where advanced systems enabling multiple crop cycles per year and enhanced productivity were showcased. Discussions centred on adapting these models for Pakistan’s conditions, particularly in the context of water stress and climate variability.

On April 20, Ambassador Hashmi inaugurated the Pakistan National Pavilion at the Expo, presenting a mix of agri-products and cultural exports including pink rock salt, Basmati rice, pine nuts, handicrafts, and decorative stonework — aimed at expanding agri-food trade and business linkages.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the envoy urged Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture sector through joint ventures in greenhouse technologies, sustainable food systems, and agri-infrastructure, highlighting incentives such as Special Economic Zones and investor-friendly policies.

He also pointed to ongoing Pakistan–Shandong cooperation in agricultural research and training, positioning it as a foundation for scaling up collaboration into areas like seed development, water-efficient irrigation, post-harvest processing, and cold-chain logistics.

At a symposium on agricultural facility cooperation, Ambassador Hashmi emphasised the complementarily between Pakistan’s agricultural needs and Shouguang’s technical expertise, reinforcing Islamabad’s push to modernise its farming sector through international partnerships.

In a forward-looking move, the envoy proposed knowledge transfer initiatives, including a dedicated symposium in Pakistan and exchange visits involving experts, enterprises, and farmers, aimed at localising Chinese innovations within Pakistan’s agricultural ecosystem.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Published Date: April 21, 2026