Pakistan and China collaborate in silage harvesting

LANZHOU, CHINA: Pakistan and China have agreed to explore new approaches in silage harvesting and processing in Pakistan after a meeting held in Lanzhou last Wednesday.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, China announced several initiatives in support of Pakistan’s livestock sector and vowed to advance joint research and commercialisation efforts in the mountainous and hilly areas of both countries.

China will establish a test and demonstration base, donate agricultural machinery and equipment worth ¥1.5 million, and provide training for a professional team dedicated to research and development, and design of silage harvesting and processing machinery.

This project, led by Gansu Academy of Mechanical Sciences Co, Ltd aims to enhance the mechanisation, efficiency, and economic benefits of Pakistan’s agricultural production, as well as improve the export competitiveness of its silage.

Since its launch in 2018, the project team has focused on studying key technologies suitable for silage harvesting and processing in Pakistan, such as the sealing reliability of wrap film, mechanical properties of wrap film, and shearing characteristics of corn.

Significant progress has already been made, with the development of four types of harvesting and processing equipment designed for silage production under various conditions in both mountainous and plain areas of Pakistan. These include silage harvesting equipment, mounted silage harvesters, efficient silage processing machinery, and silage strapping press balers.

Two production lines were designed to cater to small-scale silage production in mountainous and hilly areas, as well as large-scale silage production in plain areas, aligning with the requirements of silage production.

Muhammad Ismail, an ecosystem specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), emphasised the benefits of agricultural mechanisation.

“Mechanization in agriculture farms reduces cost by enabling efficient use of inputs including water, seeds, pesticides and fertilizers. It also reduces spoilage and harvest losses”, he said.

Following the meeting, Pakistani experts visited the agricultural machinery and equipment production base of Gansu Academy, where they had the opportunity to view and learn about the agricultural machinery and equipment that will be demonstrated and promoted in Pakistan.