BEIJING: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (YAAS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China at an online ceremony held in Beijing and Kunming. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, and President of YAAS, Dr. Jihua Wang signed the MoU.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Moin ul Haque highlighted the importance attached by the Government of Pakistan and China for cooperation in the field of agriculture.

He noted that the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Agriculture under CPEC is working on Joint Action Plan (JAP) and recently China-Pakistan Green Corridor was also launched to further streamline cooperation in the areas of food security, new seed development, crops yield, corporate farming, irrigation etc.

Ambassador Moin ul Haque expressed confidence that a partnership between PARC and YAAS would contribute to strengthening China-Pakistan agriculture cooperation.

Dr. Jihua Wang welcomed the signing of MoU extending YAAS association with PARC. Noting a wider range of research and development carried by the Yunnan Academy in the Agriculture field specialization in plant protection and pest control, he expressed happiness to share their experiences and expertise with Pakistan.

Under the MoU a Plant Protection Innovation Joint Sub-Laboratory will be set up in PARC through support of YAAS. Both sides will work to strengthen cooperation in cross-border agricultural pest research, talent cultivation and scientific and technological training.

It is to be noted that the agreement is an extension of a 2014 cooperation between PARC and YAAS.