5,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From PMIC And SWF Partnership
Umer Jamshaid Published May 07, 2018 | 01:14 PM
Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and Sona Welfare Foundation (SWF), the corporate social responsibility wing of Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), have signed off an MOU of PKR 260 million to implement an Agriculture Value Chain for 5,000 smallholder rice farmers, in districts Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala
ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th May, 2018 ) Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and Sona Welfare Foundation (SWF), the corporate social responsibility wing of Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC), have signed off an MOU of PKR 260 million to implement an Agriculture Value Chain for 5,000 smallholder rice farmers, in districts Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Yasir Ashfaq Chief Executive Officer PMIC and Brigadier (Retd.) Arshad Mahmood SI(M) Chief Operating Officer SWF. The value chain will include microfinance, profiling of farmers, awareness sessions and crop productivity enhancement trainings.
The project will also establish linkages of the farmers with public and private entities for provision of agricultural inputs and uptake of resultant yield. Short Message Services (SMS) would also be initiated to keep farmers informed about weather updates and best agricultural practices.
This is an extension of the earlier partnership between the two entities wherein they successfully implemented an agriculture value chain for 1,000 cotton farmers in district Bahawalpur which resulted in increase in farmer income.
A significant portion of the project will be allocated for microcredit to small holder farmers by PMIC through its Microfinance Institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO PMIC Mr. Yasir Ashfaq said, “PMIC values its partnership with Sona Welfare Foundation (SWF) and as the microfinance apex institution, we aim to foster linkages with private sector entities to implement initiatives for the underserved communities in the country.
PMIC and SWF share the aim to bring improvement in the lives of the underserved communities and in the coming years we aim to extend our partnership with SWF to reach out to 100,000 subsistence farmers in the country.” Brigadier (Retd.) Arshad Mahmood SI(M) Chief Operating Officer SWF commented “Our partnership with PMIC is significant towards improving the lives of the smallholder farmers in various areas of the country.
Entering the second phase of our strategic alliance with PMIC, we feel our collaboration is important towards investments in agriculture to enhance the yields of smallholder farmers. On this occasion, PMIC and SWF vowed to continue collaborative efforts to benefit subsistence farmers through microfinance and microfinance plus initiatives in Pakistan.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Interior Minister arrives in Peshawar after Shangla suicide attack
OPPO Reno 11 F 5G: Setting New Records as Pakistan's Most Beloved Smartphone Lin ..
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 March 2024
Niger says US to submit plan to 'disengage' troops
Venezuelan opposition registers unknown poll contender after obstacles
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
Russian attacks kill three as Ukraine calls for more air defence
Climate change is messing with how we measure time: study
Minister discusses bilateral issues with Turkiye Ambassador
Urdu poet Safiya Shamim remembered on birth anniversary
More Stories From Agriculture
-
Vital for economy, agriculture sector to be uplifted on priority basis: Minister
16 days ago -
Advisory for wheat growers
17 days ago -
Secretary Agriculture says govt providing financial support for wheat seed to flood hit farmers
17 days ago -
Int'l training workshop on 'Irrigation System & Water Management starts
29 days ago -
Caretaker Punjab govt prepares 10-year agriculture plan for uplift of agri sector
1 month ago -
Farmers demand to address artificial shortage of fertilizer
1 month ago
-
Early cotton varieties to cover a million acre area in Punjab, says secretary agriculture
1 month ago -
MNSUA conducts farm machinery, drone technology demo
1 month ago -
PM emphasizes unleashing full potential of Pakistan's agri sector
2 months ago -
Sindh Chamber of Agriculture urges fair sale of imported fertilizer on authorized rates
2 months ago -
Farmers told to submit wheat competition application till Jan 31
3 months ago -
Frost puts negative impact on buds of strawberries
3 months ago