Russia Partners with Pakistan to Modernize Agriculture Through Equipment and Fertilizer Plant Upgrades

Russia has agreed to supply modern agricultural machinery to Pakistan to enhance crop yields and boost agricultural productivity, as stated by Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Aleksei Gruzdev. This announcement was made during a meeting in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Minister for Industries, Production, and National Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain.

The officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade, focusing on improving agricultural outputs. Rana Tanveer highlighted the importance of modern machinery for Pakistan’s agriculture and mentioned that the government is prepared to provide necessary support to Russian investors.

In addition to machinery, Gruzdev expressed interest in modernizing Pakistan’s fertilizer plants and offering training programs to help local farmers increase their productivity. During a separate meeting with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, he emphasized potential trade cooperation, particularly in agricultural and railway machinery exports, as well as metal products.

The two sides also talked about the upcoming 5th Joint Working Group meeting scheduled for the 26th of this month in Islamabad, where they will explore new economic collaboration opportunities.

Pakistan’s government is considering a proposal to establish a new steel mill in Karachi with Russian cooperation, and both nations have agreed to form working groups to advance this project. Gruzdev met with Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday, who informed him that 700 acres of land from Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) has been designated for the new facility.

Despite having substantial iron ore reserves estimated at 1,887 million tons, Pakistan imports around $2.7 billion worth of iron and steel. Rana Tanveer noted that the efficiency of the country’s steel industry is limited due to its fragmented nature, comprising 600 small units that rely on outdated technology.

The proposed site for the new steel mill, located in Karachi near Port Qasim, will help reduce raw material transportation costs. Additionally, experts from Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural sectors are set to visit Russia, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations.