The Syndicate in its 90 th Meeting held on 11 th September 2021 approved the establishment of CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation Center (CPEC-ACC) at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi to understand and explore the opportunities regarding Agriculture Cooperation under CPEC.

Need & Scope of the Center:

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was officially launched in 2013 as a Pilot Project to pursue the goals of Belt and Road Initiative. The Objective behind the initiative was to work to improve the macro-economic conditions of the Pakistan and eliminate the shortage of the energy. It was also aimed at to improve the connectivity infrastructure, development of Gwadar Post and assist Pakistan overcome the problems of agriculture sector. Although, CPEC is focusing all sectors but there is a special focus on the agriculture cooperation. It is deemed necessary to improve combat the challenge of food insecurity in Pakistan.

The cooperation framework has been designed in accordance with the needs of Pakistan. China is willing to help to modernize agriculture sector of Pakistan. PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi look at this an opportunity to contribute in the national cause. Thus, University has decided to create a dedicated center with the name “CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation”. It will help to place PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi in leading position, if we execute it well.

This “CPEC-Agriculture Cooperation Center” will try to serve as central point to engage stakeholders and assist government in policy discourse and implementation. We perceive, center will be leading the efforts to universities, research institutes and private businesses from China to collaborate in terms of technology transfer, policy reforms and joint ventures of mutual interest.

Vision

To be a center of strategic foresight to understand the opportunities offered by agriculture cooperation under CPEC and assist government to convert the opportunities into reality

Objectives

• To conduct policy research to assist government in decision making
• To facilitate Chinese companies to work in Pakistan
• Promote institutional cooperation
• Act as center of excellence for work in Arid areas of Pakistan