LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani met a Chinese delegation and invited Chinese companies to invest in agricultural machinery manufacturing in the province.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted Punjab’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s agricultural output, stating that the province produces 76 percent of the country’s wheat, 62 percent of rice, 54 percent of cotton, 98 percent of maize and 71.3 percent of sugarcane.
He said the trend of manufacturing and using agricultural machinery in Punjab is steadily increasing, adding that high-horsepower tractors, harvesters and other advanced farming equipment are currently being imported from China.
The minister noted that vast investment opportunities are also available for Chinese investors in sectors including seeds, fertilizers, biotechnology and crop protection.
Speaking about the livestock sector, he said Punjab contributes 60 percent of the country’s milk production and 65 percent of meat production, while special measures are being taken to improve value addition and exports of dairy and meat products.
Members of the Chinese delegation expressed interest in investing in Punjab’s agriculture sector and introducing innovation and modern technology in farming activities across the province.
