Islamabad: As Pakistan grapples with widespread flood devastation impacting its agricultural heartland, a unique opportunity emerges for collaboration with China in sugarcane production, offering a potential pathway to economic revitalization and global sugar export dominance. This was the key message from Zafar Iqbal, Acting President of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), during a strategic discussion at the PCJCCI Secretariat.

Iqbal emphasized the pressing need for agricultural modernization and resilient rebuilding in the wake of the floods, particularly in Punjab and Sindh. He highlighted the fragility of traditional farming methods exposed by the recent deluge and advocated for adopting flood-resistant seeds, referencing the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) expertise in developing disease-free seedlings through advanced techniques. This cooperative venture, he suggested, could strengthen the bond between the two nations. Furthermore, he championed Tissue Culture as a pivotal technology for post-flood agricultural rehabilitation, enabling the swift introduction of resilient sugarcane varieties.

Amir Ali, PCJCCI Executive Member, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to facilitating collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese experts. He expressed confidence that joint endeavors in sugarcane cultivation and processing could propel both nations to become leading global sugar suppliers. Ali stressed the importance of providing Pakistani farmers with access to high-yield, flood-resistant sugarcane varieties as a cornerstone of industry recovery. He urged the immediate initiation of a joint sugarcane breeding initiative, positioning flood recovery as a catalyst for enhanced agricultural practices.

PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif highlighted the reciprocal advantages of strengthened agricultural cooperation. He proposed that China could assist Pakistan in modernizing its sugar sector, while Pakistan, in turn, could offer valuable insights into its distinct environmental conditions.