In a significant step towards revolutionizing Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, the first shipment of cutting-edge equipment from Chinese water-saving leader Tianjin Dayu Irrigation Group has been prepared and dispatched for the ambitious Million Acres of Green Pakistan Smart Farm Project.
This intelligent water and fertilizer integrated irrigation equipment, covering a vast farmland area spanning 2,000 hectares, is primed to support the cultivation and irrigation of a variety of crops including wheat, cotton, tomatoes, and corn. The deployment of this technology marks a crucial milestone in providing essential technical backing for Pakistan’s smart farm construction initiatives.
The project, launched on July 7, 2023, by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is part of the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) initiative. LIMS aims to propel modern agricultural development, enhance productivity, and address the food requirements of Pakistan’s burgeoning population through advanced technologies and contemporary irrigation systems.
Ghulam Qadir, Pakistan’s Commercial Counselor in China, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Agriculture is Pakistan’s pillar industry. The world’s most advanced technology will help us increase production. It can not only be for self-use, but will also be of great help to our food exports in the future.”
Cui Jing, senior vice president of Dayu Group, expressed optimism about the potential for expanded cooperation. “Pakistani partners are keenly interested in Dayu’s rural sewage treatment project in Tianjin and farmer drinking water safety project in Ningxia,” Jing stated. “If this cooperation is successful, these projects could also be introduced to Pakistan. Our prospects for future collaboration are undoubtedly promising.”
Pakistan, plagued by chronic water shortages, devotes a substantial portion of its water supply to cultivating water-intensive crops. Notably, approximately 23 percent is allocated for wheat, 21 percent for rice, 19 percent for sugar cane, and 14 percent for cotton, a critical crop supporting Pakistan’s textile industry.
The bilateral cooperation between Tianjin and Pakistan is significant, particularly as Tianjin has focused on promoting green manufacturing and creating a water-saving model for the entire industry chain in recent years. This collaboration aims for long-term development, intending to transfer mature management experiences such as “tridimensional water management” for agricultural water conservation, safe drinking water for farmers, and rural sewage treatment to Belt and Road partners like Pakistan.
The introduction of this advanced irrigation equipment not only signifies a technological leap for Pakistan’s agricultural sector but also highlights the promising future of Sino-Pakistani collaboration in addressing critical water management challenges and promoting sustainable agriculture.
