ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: China has agreed to make substantial investment in and offered high-tech machinery to promote corporate farming in Pakistan, says Minister for Food and Agriculture Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind.

“Our government has persuaded the Chinese to enter into joint ventures in corporate farming in Pakistan,” he stated.

Talking to Dawn Mr Rind who has recently returned from a visit to China said that his ministry was now identifying suitable lands in all the provinces to start corporate farming with the support of the Chinese government.

He said he held wide-ranging talks with his Chinese counterpart Mr Edu Quingin focusing on improving the quality and quantity of agricultural products and developing infrastructure. “Pakistan wants to increase the export of its agricultural products for which we hope China will extend all possible cooperation,” the minister for food and agriculture said.

Transfer of technology, he said, was another matter which was discussed at length with the Chinese government and, “I am glad to tell you that whatever agricultural machinery Pakistan plans to import, China is expected to transfer the related technology as well.”

He pointed out that Chinese agricultural machinery was competitive in the international market and well suited to Pakistani conditions and practices.

“Since Pakistan and China are among top ten countries, which are producing 90 per cent of rice of the world, it was also decided that the two countries should explore ways and means to have joint collaboration for getting more export orders,” Sardar Rind said.

Responding to a question, he said, it had been decided to increase trade between the two countries not only in machinery but in fruits, vegetables and other agricultural produce as well.

He said that he had discussed with the Chinese minister for agriculture a proposal to purchase tractors and bulldozers for Pakistan.

“In principle, we have decided to import Chinese tractors which are good and relatively inexpensive,” the minister for good and agriculture said.