by Wang Xiaotong

 

YANGLING, Oct 25 (China Economic Net) - "It feels absolutely amazing to see Pakistani products showcased at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) exhibition hall," Maarij Farooq, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Daily Ittehad, told CEN, holding Tapal Danedar Tea and National Chilli Garlic Sauce, some of the most popular products in Pakistan. He was among the Pakistani media delegates who just finished their visit to the SCO Demonstration Base for Agricultural Technology Exchange and Training in Yangling, China's agri-science-city.

 

 

The Pakistani products are well received by Chinese consumers, according to Chen Qihui, Deputy Chief, Exhibition Bureau, Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Industrial Demonstration Zone. "Pakistani rice, pine nuts and tea are especially popular here, and we are looking forward to seeing more high-quality Pakistani products gain presence in the Chinese market through us," he added. Imported from the comprehensive bonded zone, the Pakistani products displayed in the exhibition hall are already being sold in big local supermarkets as well as on e-commerce platforms. 

 

This is only a microcosm of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation in SCO Agricultural Base. Since 2019, the year that the Base was initiated, various achievements have been accomplished between the two countries, including joint scientific research, agricultural education and training, technology demonstration and import and export trade.

 

 

"Here we have observed the marvelous work being done in research particularly with regard to the arid zones. In Pakistan we have a big area which is considered to be an arid area or drought area. Pakistani scientists should take benefit of the research we have witnessed here. That will be very much beneficial for Pakistan and other developing countries," said Mr. Imran, columnist for The News International, after visiting the Institute of Water-saving Agriculture in Arid Areas of China (IWSA), Northwest A&F University, one of China's top agricultural universities located in Yangling. 

 

Actually, what he expected is already going on between the two countries. In 2021, 49 Pakistani experts attended the water-saving irrigation training programme held by the SCO Agricultural Base. Up till now, over 120 Pakistani officials, experts, enterprise leaders and farm owners have participated in agricultural technology training in Yangling. At present, there're 142 Pakistani students studying at Northwest A&F University, which is closely cooperating with renowned Pakistani universities and institutions including Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Sindh, University of Lahore, etc. in nanobiotechnology and earthworm biotechnology research under the Silk Road Agricultural Education and Research Innovation Alliance.