China and Pakistan have signed a Documents of Understanding (DoU) to carry out high-level agricultural industrialization construction. The Vice Mayor of Qingzhou City, Chen Wei, believes that through cooperation projects, China and Pakistan can increase the added value and utilization rate of Pakistan’s agricultural products. Wei further mentioned that Weifang, known as the “China agricultural machinery city,” has over 650 agricultural machinery manufacturers and has achieved a comprehensive mechanization level of 92.7% in main crop cultivation and harvesting. In addition, the most advanced Qingzhou smart glass greenhouse, which applies over 120 patented technologies, is 50% more energy-efficient than Dutch greenhouses. Wei stated that the transformation and output of China’s agricultural technology can generate profits, which is a win-win situation for both countries.
The four sides, including the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan (NUST), Weifang Engineering Vocational College, Qingzhou Municipal Government, and Weifang National Comprehensive Pilot Agriculture Zone, will carry out a series of high-level agricultural industrialization construction. The construction of a demonstration park in Qingzhou is already underway, which can increase the utilization rate of idle wasteland in low hills by 5%-10%, release 40,000-80,000 mu (2667-5333 hectares) of land, and drive more than 10,000 people to achieve reemployment.
The focus will be on standardized cultivation, precise crop fertilization, and reduction of harvest loss. In Weifang, the utilization rate of soil testing and formula fertilization technology has surpassed 95.4%, with water and fertilizer integration covering an area of over 1.2 million mu (0.08 million hectares). By employing agricultural machinery for daily soil plowing, deep loosening, and fumigation, the soil structure can be efficiently enhanced to boost fertility and simultaneously eliminate pathogenic fungi, bacteria, weeds, soil-borne viruses, and pests.
Among their list of initiatives, Dr. Hussain Ahmad Janjua, Principal of Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), NUST, emphasized the development of high-yielding varieties, seed hybridization projects, plant molecular biology, and farm automation. According to Chen Wei, the four parties have reached an agreement to collaborate and advance technology cooperation within the CPEC framework, emphasizing the establishment of a comprehensive agricultural industry chain system, promoting the deep processing of agricultural products, and supporting the development of related industrialization. Wei also mentioned that China’s three characteristic industries of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, especially hawthorn in Qingzhou, can be shared with Pakistani friends.
