Planting dreams with soybeans

Lam's visit was more than an exchange of seeds. It was a transfer of knowledge and a gesture of friendship.

The collaboration between China and Pakistan in agricultural development highlighted the enduring bonds between the two nations, tracing back to the ancient Silk Road and flourishing under the modern Belt and Road Initiative.

"Building international friendships, connecting people at the grassroots level, and using science to help those in need have always been the core values of our Hong Kong team," says Lam. He emphasized the significance of sharing goodwill and friendship, especially as the country is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding this year.

Agriculture, at its core, is about nurturing life and sustaining communities. It's the embodiment of tireless work and the pursuit of innovations that can weather the storms of a changing world. For Lam and his team, it's about sharing the fruits of their labor, not just in China, but across the globe.

Their work continues beyond Pakistan, from developing drought-tolerant soybeans in South Africa to studying space-bred Longhuang seeds that traveled with the Shenzhou spacecraft. The soybean journey is just the beginning and, with it, the narrative of a burgeoning world of sustainable agriculture unfolds, a story that Lam and Rehman continue to write with each seed they plant.

"My kids are also living in the village, just like me. So, they would know how farmers grow food and how to help others," says Rehman.