Chinese team, UAF VC discuss mutual collaboration

FAISALABAD: Coconut Research Institute Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences delegation Friday called on University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and discussed issues of mutual concerns and collaboration. Talking to the Chinese team, Dr Iqrar said value addition to date production will help the country get heavy foreign exchange. The Chinese team was headed by Waodong Yang Head of Biochemistry Division of the Chinese Academy and Waodong Yang and Haiquan Fue. The Chinese delegation d the VC discussed dates, coconut, mangoes and other areas of mutual concern.

The VC said the agriculture sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy that is directly linked to poverty alleviation. He said the country can earn with dates production after adopting value addition, diversity, varieties and state-of-the-art post harvest practices. He said that UAF had developed ten germplasm of mango with excellent aroma and taste.

He said that Confucius Institute had been established at the UAF which is offering Chinese language courses. It has produced hundreds of students equipped with Chinese language as a step towards bringing the people of both countries further closer.

He said China and Pakistan were enjoying deepened and time-tested relations that are more strengthened with China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Waodong Yang lauded the steps being taken on the part of the UAF for the ensuring the quality education, research and community services.