The Agribusiness Support Fund has approved participatory projects being initiated by the private sector worth Rs 266 million through matching grants and aimed at value addition in the horticulture, floriculture and dairy and livestock sectors.
The approval came at the 13th meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday reviewing the organisation's performance. The management told the board that over past 15 months the organisation had approved the projects, including support in obtaining different certifications including GlobalGAP (previously EurepGAP) Certification by Kinnow and Mango growers of Bhalwal, Multan, Tando Allah Yar and Mirpurkhas.
Other initiatives supported include support in establishing fresh fruits and vegetables processing unit in Karachi, a multipurpose controlled atmosphere storage unit in Karachi, an Agriculture Farm Information Software, participation in Training Programmes (local as well as foreign), marketing initiatives and establishment of nurseries, especially of fruits plants and flowers. Business plans and feasibility studies were also heavily supported.
The organisation has also supported consultants in obtaining certifications as internationally recognised trainers. A major initiative in this regard was recognition of individuals in Pakistan as Certified GlobalGAP Trainers able to train public in GlobalGAP. The Fund has also supported Private Sector Extension Providers in starting extension services in different areas of the country, especially FANA and the Punjab.
It has trained 5,650 farmers in farmer enterprise groups and provided them with support in the projects worth over Rs 77 million. These farmers at the grass roots level have been encouraged to set up their own income generating projects, which have proved to be highly successful. These projects include a tomato paste plant, greenhouses, chilling units, common facility centres, potato chips plant, pickles units and cattle breeding and extension services centres.
Sher Zaman Bazai chaired the meeting including Mumtaz Manias, Provincial Minister for Livestock. The board was happy with the progress and encouraged the management to further enhance its efforts to provide maximum benefits to the country in general and agribusiness enterprises in particular.
The board told the organisation to pursue a strategy of providing support to clusters of different crops across the country. 15 Crops /Areas will be identified and initiatives identified, which can be rapidly implemented. To carry out this activity, the Board approved funding for a Rapid Horticulture Appraisal. The Board also asked the management to provide enhanced support in the livestock and dairy sector, with special reference to production of value added products and enhancement of productivity at the grass roots level. This area needs attention, both to increase the incomes of farmers and to bring down prices for the general consumers.