China-Pakistan Research and Development Center for Modern Agriculture and Water Efficient Technologies inaugurated at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).
The Center is jointly established by National Center of Efficient Irrigation Engineering and Technology Research-Xinjiang, Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) and PMAS-AAUR with an aim to promote collaborative research, academic exchange, technological demonstration, practical application, and talent development.
This Center will also focus on developing suitable products and equipment for efficient irrigation agricultural technologies in Pakistan, alongside promoting innovative models for widespread adoption, ultimately improving the country’s agricultural productivity.
The center will be built on the existing infrastructure of PMAS-AAUR. The main construction include “1 Center + 3 Labs + 2 Base” Center for Modern Agriculture & Water Efficient Technologies (CMAWET), Irrigation Engineering Laboratory, Soil and Fertigation Laboratory, Efficient irrigation Training Room, Agricultural Engineering Teaching and Research demonstration base and University research farm demonstration base, says press note.
On the occasion, Shahid Nazir, Director General Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) was the chief guest. He inaugurated the Center and has said Pakistan China friendship is higher than mountains, deeper than the ocean, stronger than steel and sweeter than honey.
He said that food security is the biggest challenge and it is the time we have to transform conventional agriculture into smart and precision agriculture to increase productivity.
The Chief Guest expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of the University and PMAS-AAUR and highlighted the Green Pakistan Initiative, for enhancing its contribution towards national development and food security.
Ding Lianjun, Program Manager, Xinjiang Tianye (Group) Co., Ltd., said that with efficient and water-saving agriculture as the main line, Tianye Group will actively promote all-round cooperation in land development, seed development, crop production technology, agricultural machinery, water and fertilizer integration, personnel training and trade.
Furthermore, he was of the view that the China-Pakistan Research and Development Center for Efficient and Water-saving Agriculture is an important scientific and technological support force for the implementation of the Framework Agreement, and also a scientific and technological innovation platform carrying China-Pakistan friendship. Through the joint efforts of scientific and technological personnel from both sides, it will certainly open a new chapter for efficient and water-saving agriculture in Pakistan, he added.
Earlier, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, in his address, welcomed the participants and highlighted the aims and objectives of this center. He hoped that this center will be helpful to uplift the agriculture of Pakistan with efficient use of water. He also thanked the GPI and China for supporting PMAS-AAUR by establishing this center at PMAS-AAUR.
