Pakistan to send 1,000 students to China for agriculture training

• PM Shehbaz tours Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base in Xi'an.
• "Pakistan striving to modernise its agriculture sector," says Shehbaz.
• Premier returns Pakistan after five-day visit to China.

Before concluding his five-day visit to China, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced sending as many as 1,000 students to the brotherly country for advanced training in agriculture sector.

The announcement came during the premier’s visit to Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base in Xi'an, China, Radio Pakistan reported.

On the occasion, PM Shehbaz also invited China’s North West Agriculture and Forestry University to open a campus in Pakistan and directed the Pakistan's ambassador to China and relevant authorities to finalise the matters with the Chinese authorities in this regard.

Before the announcements, the PM toured various parts of the facility and was shown Pakistani products at the Pakistan Pavilion. He also visited the modern plant production factory where he oversaw a demonstration of vertical method of agriculture.

“Pakistan is striving to modernise its agriculture sector to increase per acre yield of crops. Increasing the agricultural exports is one of our top most priorities,” PM Shehbaz told the Chinese officials.

Moreover, the prime minister was given a briefing about the working of the Yangling Base. He was told that 26 countries were collaborating in agricultural research at the base and Pakistan was the first one to participate.

He was also briefed about Pakistani universities and scientists taking part in research at Yangling Base.

PM Shehbaz later flew back to the country, accompanied by his high-level delegation.

During the visit, the premier held meetings with the Chinese leadership, authorities, and businessmen and investor companies.

The prime minister had undertaken the visit at the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

— With additional input from APP