CPEC: Chinese company selects Pakistani partner for red chilli import

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Litong Food, a Chinese company, on Sunday afternoon chose Guard Agricultural Research and Services as its partner under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for the import of red chilli cultivated in Pakistan with Chinese collaboration on a buyback policy.

This decision follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the protocol of phytosanitary during a visit by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to Islamabad.

The collaboration aims to encourage the cultivation of high-yielding hybrid chillies in the regions of south Punjab and interior Sindh.

The two companies will sign a deal for technical collaboration on hybrid chilli and subsequent export to China during an upcoming international food and agriculture expo in Karachi from August 10-12, where Guard, Longping, and Litong Food are exhibiting.

Peppara Seeds China will provide the hybrid chilli seed, along with technical support for commercial cultivation, and the buyback of dried chilli for export to China will be through Litong Food.

This agricultural collaboration between Pakistan and China holds significant benefits for both countries, as hybrid chilli offers higher yields compared to traditional varieties.

The selection was made in the wake of a recent memorandum of understanding on the protocol of phytosanitary signed in Islamabad during a three-day visit of Chinese Vice Premier, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guard Agricultural Research and Services Shahzad Ali Malik.

He maintained that that the company was selected after thorough scrutiny for import of red chilli cultivated in Pakistan with Chinese collaboration on buyback policy.

“After successfully promoting the sowing of hybrid rice in Pakistan which brought prosperity to the farmers and enhanced the crop size, we will join hands with another Chinese food giant Litong Food to encourage the cultivation of high-yielding hybrid chillies in Pakistan in the areas of south Punjab and interior Sindh,” he added.

“Both companies will sign a deal to have technical collaboration on hybrid chilli and subsequent export of chilli to China under the CPEC in the coming international food and agriculture expo being held in Karachi from August 10-12 where Guard is exhibiting along with Longping and Litong Food.

Malik said Hybrid chilli seed will be provided by Peppara Seeds China along with technical support for commercial cultivation and buyback of dried chilli for export to China will be through Litong Food.

He said: “Hybrid chilli gives three picking per sowing and a production of 600 maunds per acre in contrast to traditional varieties which give only 200 maunds (one maund equals 40 kilograms) per acre.”