Pakistan to Train 1,000 Agriculture Professionals in China Under New Initiative
CT Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting Tuesday to discuss plans for the short-term training of 1,000 agriculture professionals in China, as directed by the prime minister.
Iqbal emphasized the need to prioritize candidates with the highest potential, ensuring a strong return on investment from the program. He called for an inclusive selection process that guarantees representation from all provinces, focusing on individuals capable of significantly contributing to the agriculture sector.
The planning minister underscored the importance of developing a structured action plan for the initiative. He said the knowledge acquired by these professionals should be used by provincial Planning and Development departments for further training and capacity-building efforts.
Highlighting Pakistan’s need for greater investment in higher education, Iqbal pointed out that the country’s tertiary education enrollment rate is just 13%, lagging behind other regional nations. He urged coordinated efforts between federal and provincial governments to close the resource gap by matching funds.
Iqbal said the project carries strategic significance and recommended establishing a Project Management Unit (PMU) within the implementing agency, utilizing existing staff to oversee the initiative.
The program will be executed in phases, with 300 agriculture professionals traveling to China in the first phase, followed by 300 in the second phase, and 400 in the final phase. This approach aims to ensure efficient resource management and maximize the training program’s impact.
To oversee the project, Iqbal directed the formation of a committee comprising representatives from the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Planning. The committee will meet every two weeks to review progress and monitor ongoing schemes.
