ANYANG, Aug. 14 (China Economic Net) - The Institute of Cotton Research (ICR) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM), Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on August 10 to promote long-term cooperation in cotton germplasm resources, biotechnology and related research fields.

The MoU was signed during a visit by a delegation led by Prof. Dr. Asif Ali (T.I), Vice Chancellor of MNSUAM, to the ICR, CAAS in Anyang, Henan, China this month.

Under the agreement, the two sides will establish a long-term bilateral research cooperation mechanism and carry out joint research by leveraging their respective scientific strengths.

During discussions, Asif Ali spoke positively of ICR's research capabilities and scientific platforms and expressed expectations for future cooperation between the two sides. He outlined key challenges facing Pakistan's cotton sector, including shrinking cultivation areas, declining yields, limited germplasm resources and increasing pressure from extreme climate conditions. He proposed cooperation in molecular breeding, gene editing, mechanized cultivation and joint laboratory development.

Experts from both sides also exchanged views on cotton germplasm resource sharing, breeding disease-resistant and heat-tolerant varieties, joint training of young researchers and cotton industry chain upgrading.