KARACHI: The Pakistan–China Agriculture Investment Conference in Islamabad has resulted in 79 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistani and Chinese companies with an approximate investment value of $4.5 billion, Pakistani Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Tuesday, signaling confidence of Chinese investors in Pakistan’s agriculture and food sectors.

At least 119 Chinese companies and over 191 Pakistani firms participated in the event held on Monday, focusing on fertilizers, seed varieties, machinery, precision farming and smart irrigation systems, according to the organizers.

The conference was billed by Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research as a platform for deepening bilateral agricultural ties and supporting broader economic engagement between the two countries.

Hussain said the scale and depth of investment commitments at the conference reflected a decisive shift from dialogue to on-ground, investment-led collaboration between the two countries.

“The conference was specifically structured to deliver tangible outcomes through direct B2B (business to business) matchmaking, targeted sectoral engagement and project-based investment facilitation, rather than conventional discussions,” he was quoted as saying by his ministry.

Pakistan and China have been expanding cooperation in agriculture under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, with a focus on mechanization, high-yield seeds, livestock development and value-added food processing. Officials say stronger agricultural ties could help Pakistan boost exports, ensure food security and create jobs, while offering Chinese companies access to a large farming market and new investment opportunities.

Pakistan’s exports to China reached approximately $2.38 billion in Fiscal Year 2024–25 that ended in June, while imports stood at $16.3 billion, reflecting growing demand on both sides despite global economic headwinds, according to the minister.

The food security ministry undertook extensive preparatory work prior to the conference, including structured engagements with Pakistani industry bodies and Chinese enterprises, to align investment proposals with market demand, technology requirements and national priorities, according to Hussain.

As a result, investment agreements were concluded across ten high-impact agricultural and allied sub-sectors, including food processing and value addition, agri-technology, seeds and plant protection, livestock and dairy, meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, fisheries and aquaculture, animal feed, post-harvest infrastructure, and agricultural inputs.

“These investments will modernize Pakistan’s agricultural value chains, introduce advanced production and processing technologies, and significantly enhance productivity,” the minister said.

“The inflow of capital and technology is expected to generate large-scale employment, particularly in rural areas, strengthen farm-to-market linkages, and reduce post-harvest losses, thereby improving farmer incomes and rural livelihoods.”