PM Shehbaz unveils plan to send 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for training

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday a new initiative to send 1,000 agricultural graduates to China for advanced training. He made this announcement while inaugurating the Aeroponics Complex for Potato Seed Production at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).

During his address, the prime minister emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, highlighting that 65 percent of the population is engaged in the sector.

He stated that the initiative aims to equip agricultural graduates with modern skills and knowledge to drive agricultural development and innovation in the country.

Under this program, selected graduates will receive specialized training in China, focusing on advanced agricultural techniques, modern farming practices, and innovative technologies.

The objective is to provide these professionals with the expertise needed to address agricultural challenges, enhance productivity, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the farming industry in Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his gratitude to South Korea for its support in establishing the Aeroponics Complex for Potato Seed Production, recognizing the country as a key economic partner.

He underscored the need for broader collaboration in various fields to strengthen bilateral ties. Additionally, he stressed the importance of improving per-acre yields of key crops such as cotton and sugarcane, while also promoting small and medium enterprises in rural areas.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the Agriculture Tubewell Solarization Project in Lahore, an initiative aimed at promoting the use of sustainable energy in farming.

The project will provide financial subsidies for solar system installations, with the Punjab government offering five lakh rupees for a 10-kilowatt solar system, seven and a half lakh rupees for a 15-kilowatt system, and ten lakh rupees for a 20-kilowatt system.

In the first phase of the project, 8,000 tube wells across Punjab will be selected through a balloting process for conversion to solar energy, reducing energy costs for farmers and encouraging environmentally friendly agricultural practices.