HBL Zarai Services forges partnership with University of Agriculture Faisalabad

HBL Zarai Services and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad have entered into a strategic partnership wit the aim of revolutionizing Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The collaboration seeks to meld the expertise of a major Pakistani financial institution with the academic experience of Pakistan’s leading agricultural university to foster sustainable farming practices and boost agricultural productivity.

The initiative aims to establish Farm Research & Excellence Centres throughout Punjab, leveraging the HBL Zarai Dera concept to advance sustainable agriculture across the region. The collaboration outlines a comprehensive approach that aims to modernize agriculture in Punjab through conducting cutting-edge research, promoting sustainable farming techniques, elevating farm productivity to meet global standards, developing new markets, and providing infrastructure support to farming communities.

A significant aspect of this partnership is its focus on closing the gap between academia and the industry. It plans to engage university faculty in research projects, offer practical training to students, and facilitate project-based internships, thereby enriching the educational experience with real-world agricultural practices. Newly established Farm Research & Excellence Centres should help transform agricultural practices in Punjab, shifting from traditional subsistence farming to a more profitable, export-oriented approach. This transformation is expected to position agriculture as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy.

Reflecting on the initiative, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan highlighted the centers’ pivotal role in modernizing agriculture in Punjab. Amer Aziz, CEO of HBL Zarai Services, commented on the initiative: “I express my deepest gratitude to the University leadership team for joining hands with HBL Zarai Services to embark on this journey of transforming Pakistan’s agricultural landscape and setting benchmarks for others to follow.”