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PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities

By Staff Reporter | China Economic Net Aug 12, 2021
by Wang Xiaotong 
 
BAHAWALPUR, Aug. 12 (China Economic Net) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed Kissan Convention held in Bahawalpur yesterday, and inaugurated the Intercropping Research Center jointly established by Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), which is the first-ever national research center dedicated to intercropping within Pakistan. The advanced ‘maize-soybean strip intercropping technology’ from China, and the close Sino-Pak agricultural cooperation were highly praised by PM Imran Khan at the convention. 
 
Muhammad Ali Raza, Pakistani post-doc from Sichuan Agricultural University, presented maize-soybean strip intercropping technology to PM Imran Khan. “The intercropping technology can use light so efficiently and produce two crops at one time. With new technologies like it, we can bring about revolution in the agriculture sector of Pakistan,” said PM Imran Khan.
 
PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities
Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza presents maize-soybean strip intercropping technology’s development in Pakistan to PM Imran Khan. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]
 
Intercropping, the cultivation of two or more crop species on the same land for a whole or specific period, is suitable for countries with large population and limited cultivated land like Pakistan. 
 
Meanwhile, the technology is urgently needed by Pakistan as edible oil and oilseed are among the largest food and feed imports into the country. Presently, Pakistan is importing 1.8 to 2.0 million tonnes of soybeans from other countries. Revitalizing soybean production may well be in order.
 
“Ali, a young Ph.D., who came from China, is the future of Pakistan. I acknowledge your mentor’s abilities because he has trained you very well,” PM Imran Khan said. At the convention, PM Imran Khan awarded Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza for his diligent and effective work. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also appreciated maize-soybean strip intercropping technology and expressed his willingness to provide support for further promoting this technology in Pakistan.
 
PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities
PM Imran Khan awards Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza at the convention. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]
 
In 2018, Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza started to promote maize-soybean strip intercropping technology in Pakistan under his Chinese professor Yang Wenyu’s guidance and support. In the first half of 2021, the technology was being applied to 100 acres of land for demonstration throughout Punjab and Sindh, and achieved promising results after harvesting two weeks ago.
 
PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities
Demonstrative plot of maize-soybean strip intercropping technology in Bahawalpur. [Photo/Muhammad Ali Raza]
 
“Now, my first priority is to bring intercropping-specific maize and soybean varieties, as well as farming machinery from China to Pakistan. These things are desperately needed for achieving high yield in Pakistan,” Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza told China Economic Net. “I will work like my Prime Minister has worked for his life. I will work with more passion with my professor Yang Wenyu and IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Athar Mahboob’s support and respect,” Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza said with emotion.
 
Prof. Yang Wenyu was also inspired by PM Imran Khan’s recognition of their research work. “China and Pakistan are both facing the shortage of soybeans. I hope the research cooperation between China and Pakistan will contribute to plugging the gap in soybean supply and demand for both of us,” Prof. Yang Wenyu said to CEN. 
 
PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities
Prof. Yang Wenyu (4th L) and Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza (5th L) are at the doctoral dissertation defense meeting of Sichuan Agricultural University. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]
 
“Pakistan is blessed with a large amount of sunlight and other natural resources. With the expertise and advanced research from China, we believe we can learn from our Chinese counterparts and then apply and modify the same techniques according to the needs and the local environment of Pakistan,” said Prof. Athar Mahboob, IUB Vice Chancellor. 
 
PM Imran Khan inaugurates first-ever Intercropping Research Center by Chinese and Pakistani universities
Chen Daiwen, SAU Vice President, and Athar Mahboob, IUB Vice Chancellor, sign an MOU to cooperate in the establishment of Intercropping Research Center and bilateral exchanges on academics and education online on June 8. [Photo provided by Chen Qing]
 

In the future, focusing on high yield and high quality of intercropping crops, China-Pakistan cooperation in research, demonstration and promotion of variety selection, optimization of cultivation technology, plant protection and agricultural mechanization will be made in the Intercropping Research Center. 

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