Pakistan Eyes Agricultural Collaboration with Saudi Arabia and Sudan

Pakistan Proposes tri-Party Agricultural Venture with Saudi Arabia and Sudan to Bolster Regional Food Security

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is championing a visionary tri-party partnership between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Sudan to unlock the agricultural potential of the region, aiming to significantly enhance food security. The proposal leverages Sudan’s vast arable lands, Pakistan’s agricultural expertise, and Saudi Arabia’s investment capabilities to foster joint ventures with a particular focus on the sugar industry and meat export sectors.

Rana Tanveer Hussain, Pakistan’s Minister for National Food Security and Research, outlined this strategic initiative during a meeting with Sudanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Salih Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Siddig, in Islamabad. The discussions highlighted the potential for Pakistani private sector stakeholders to invest in Sudan’s sugar processing, technology transfer, and the advancement of slaughterhouse infrastructure.

Minister Hussain emphasized his commitment to positioning Pakistan as a proactive hub for international agricultural cooperation. He stated that such collaborations are crucial not only for regional prosperity but also align with Pakistan’s broader development goals, fostering sustainable growth through strategic diplomacy and agricultural innovation.

The minister articulated the ministry’s ambition to forge new international agricultural alliances, designed to bolster Pakistan’s food security objectives, attract investment, and promote robust South-South cooperation.

“These partnerships will not only contribute to regional prosperity but also align with Pakistan’s broader agenda of achieving sustainable development through strategic diplomacy and innovation in agriculture,” Minister Hussain remarked.

he underscored the strong cultural,religious,and historical ties between Pakistan and Sudan,viewing them as a fertile ground for deepened collaboration in agricultural trade,education,and technological exchange. Minister Hussain informed the Sudanese envoy about Pakistan’s advanced research institutions and technical prowess in areas such as crop production, irrigation management, and livestock health, identifying these as valuable assets to support Sudan’s agricultural development aspirations.

Ambassador Salih Mohamed, in turn, shared insights into Sudan’s demographic landscape and reaffirmed the existing goodwill and trust between the two nations.

Acknowledging the geopolitical situation in Sudan, Minister Tanveer commended the nation’s efforts to maintain peace. He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to humanitarian and development efforts, particularly through sustainable, agriculture-based solutions.

Pakistan also welcomed Sudan’s expressed interest in educational collaboration, including the potential for increased enrollment of Sudanese students at the university of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Furthermore, Minister Hussain recognized Sudan’s adherence to high health standards in livestock exports to Gulf markets, acknowledging the country’s capacity for producing disease-free meat. He expressed enthusiasm for enhanced cooperation in veterinary science, animal breeding, and poultry management, assuring Sudan of Pakistan’s technical support.

The minister also acknowledged the significant contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in Sudan, particularly their role in skilled trades and technical services.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025

how might the collaboration with Saudi Arabia specifically address Pakistan’s need for improved dairy and livestock farming practices?

Strengthening Food Security Through Tripartite Partnerships

Pakistan is actively pursuing enhanced agricultural collaboration with both Saudi Arabia and Sudan, aiming to bolster its food security, increase agricultural exports, and attract foreign investment into the sector. This strategic move comes amidst growing global concerns about food supply chains and the need for resilient agricultural systems.The focus is on leveraging the strengths of each nation – Pakistan’s agricultural expertise, Saudi Arabia’s investment capacity, and Sudan’s vast arable land.

Key Areas of Collaboration with Saudi Arabia

The partnership with Saudi Arabia centers around large-scale agricultural investments and joint ventures. Several key areas are driving this collaboration:

Dates Production: Saudi Arabia is a global leader in date production. Pakistan seeks to benefit from Saudi expertise and investment to improve its own date farming practices and expand date exports. Joint ventures are being explored to establish modern date processing facilities in Pakistan.

Dairy and Livestock Farming: addressing Pakistan’s growing demand for dairy products, Saudi investment is being channeled into modernizing dairy farms and improving livestock breeding programs.This includes adopting advanced technologies for milk production and animal healthcare.

Agricultural Technology Transfer: Saudi Arabia is investing in agricultural technology,including precision farming,water management systems,and greenhouse technologies. Transferring this technology to Pakistan will enhance productivity and reduce water wastage.

investment in Agri-Business: Saudi sovereign wealth funds are considering significant investments in Pakistani agri-businesses, focusing on value-added agricultural products for both domestic consumption and export. This includes processing facilities for fruits,vegetables,and grains.

Sudan: A Land of Agricultural Potential

Sudan possesses immense agricultural potential, with vast tracts of fertile land suitable for various crops. Pakistan’s collaboration with Sudan focuses on:

land Leasing & Joint Farming: Pakistan is negotiating long-term leases of agricultural land in Sudan to cultivate crops like wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane.Joint farming ventures, combining Pakistani agricultural expertise with Sudanese land resources, are a core component of this strategy.

Irrigation Infrastructure Development: sudan faces challenges related to water scarcity. Pakistan, with its experience in irrigation systems, is offering expertise and assistance in developing and upgrading irrigation infrastructure in Sudan. This includes canal construction, water storage facilities, and efficient irrigation techniques.

Seed and Fertilizer Supply: Pakistan is positioned to become a key supplier of high-quality seeds and fertilizers to Sudan, boosting agricultural yields and improving crop quality.

Capacity Building & Training: Pakistani agricultural experts are conducting training programs for Sudanese farmers, sharing best practices in crop cultivation, pest management, and post-harvest handling.

Benefits of Tripartite Collaboration

This collaborative approach offers significant benefits for all three nations:

Enhanced Food Security: Increased agricultural production in Pakistan and Sudan will contribute to greater food security in all three countries,reducing reliance on imports.

Economic Growth: Investments in agriculture will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and boost export earnings.

Technology Transfer: The exchange of agricultural technologies and expertise will modernize farming practices and improve productivity.

Regional Stability: Strengthened economic ties will foster regional stability and cooperation.

Diversification of Agricultural Products: Collaboration will enable the diversification of agricultural products, catering to evolving market demands.

Addressing Challenges & Ensuring Sustainability

While the potential benefits are ample,several challenges need to be addressed:

Political Stability: Political instability in Sudan poses a risk to long-term investments. Mitigation strategies include securing government guarantees and insurance coverage.

Water Management: Sustainable water management practices are crucial to avoid depleting water resources in Sudan. Efficient irrigation techniques and water conservation measures are essential.

Infrastructure Development: Improving transportation infrastructure in Sudan is vital for efficient movement of agricultural products.

Land Tenure Issues: Clear and secure land tenure arrangements are necessary to attract long-term investments.

Regulatory Frameworks: Harmonizing regulatory frameworks across the three countries will facilitate trade and investment.

Real-World Examples & Past Initiatives

Pakistan has a history of agricultural cooperation with other nations. The successful collaboration with China on agricultural technology transfer serves as a positive example. Furthermore,previous initiatives involving land leasing in African countries,while facing challenges,provide valuable lessons for the current partnerships. The focus now is on learning from past experiences and implementing robust safeguards to ensure sustainability and mutual benefit.

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