KARACHI:
The agriculture sector in Pakistan remains the backbone of the country's economy, with the majority of the population directly or indirectly dependent on it. Agriculture contributes around 24 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs half of the country's labour force. The agriculture sector plays a critical role in providing sustenance to both rural and urban populations.
Pakistan produces a diverse range of agricultural products, including rice, wheat, cotton, fruits, and vegetables, which are exported to various countries worldwide, providing a significant source of foreign exchange earnings. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, soil degradation, lack of research and development, poor supply chain management, and a shortage of financing.
Despite these challenges, sustainable agricultural business enterprises have emerged as promising solutions, promoting social, economic, and environmental sustainability. With the agriculture sector's significance to Pakistan's economy and the challenges it faces, it is essential to explore the role of sustainable agriculture in addressing these challenges and promoting the sector's growth.
Sustainable agriculture is a method of farming that aims to produce food and other agricultural products while minimising the negative impact on the environment, improving the economic viability of farming, and enhancing social equity. In Pakistan, sustainable agriculture business enterprises have started to gain traction, offering innovative solutions to the country's agricultural challenges.
Although this is a national issue and needs attention by government, some private companies are stepping into this grossly ignored sector to solve the most critical problems. One such company is the Pakistan-based conglomerate Descon, which has broadened its scope to include sustainable agri business ventures that address Pakistan's prevailing food security concerns. With expertise in engineering, power, and chemical sectors, Descon has embarked on investing in ventures to promote innovation and advancements in the agriculture sector.
The company has been taking various steps to improve the quality of agriculture and help farmers try new methods and technology for increased yields and better crop nutrition. Following that, the company has already invested in a few existing export-oriented companies and aims to be a significant player in the agri sector over the next ten years.
In March 2022, Descon acquired shareholding in two agribusinesses: Vital Agri Nutrients, a research and development-driven company engaged in the production of speciality fertilisers, micronutrients, and soil amendments, and Vital Green, a company primarily engaged in contract farming and facilitating access to quality inputs, credit, extension services, and related advisory services.
Descon Vice Chairman Faisal Dawood believes that the agriculture sector is an industry with untapped potential for growth and innovation, especially when it comes to increasing productivity and promoting exports. "Although once a thriving agricultural nation, Pakistan's farming industry has struggled in recent years due to a lack of innovation and focus. However, Descon is determined to catalyse the change with strategic interventions in this vertical, from farming to the consumer," Dawood told The Express Tribune.
Innovative solutions
Vital Agri Nutrients (VAN) plays an essential role by providing high-quality and innovative solutions to farmers to help increase productivity, improve crop yields, and enhance the economic viability of the sector. VAN has been providing bespoke solutions to farmers facing problems like infertile soil, water management and crop tracking.
One of the critical ways VAN benefits Pakistan's agri sector is by promoting balanced fertilisation techniques. This involves providing crops with the right amount of nutrients at the right proportions and time. Farmers can improve yields, reduce input costs, and minimise environmental impacts by using this approach.
In promoting sustainable agriculture practices in Pakistan, VAN plays a critical role. The company’s commitment to developing and promoting eco-friendly nutrients is unwavering. One of the ways it does that is by formulating fertilizers that are not only effective but also enhance soil health, increase water-use efficiency, and limit soil losses.
Beyond that, VAN's dedication to providing education and training to farmers on the latest sustainable agriculture practices is worth applauding. The company's agronomists work closely with farmers to help them achieve optimal crop production, reduce input costs, and minimize the adverse environmental impact of farming practices.
Through these efforts, VAN is significantly contributing to the country's sustainable agriculture movement, and it is encouraging to see a company taking such an active role in building a greener future.
Organic solutions
Organic solutions play an important role in promoting sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. Using organic fertilisers, pesticides, and other inputs can help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, promote soil health, and improve the quality of agricultural products.
One of the key benefits of organic solutions is that they are less harmful to the environment than conventional chemical inputs. Organic fertilisers, for example, are made from natural sources such as compost and manure and do not contain the harmful chemicals found in synthetic fertilisers. This means they are less likely to contribute to soil and water pollution, which can have serious health and environmental consequences.
Despite these benefits, organic solutions in Pakistani agriculture are underused. Many farmers need advanced knowledge and resources to adopt organic practices as they hesitate to switch from the conventional inputs they are familiar with. To overcome the challenge, there needs to be more infrastructure and support for organic agriculture in Pakistan, including access to markets and certification services.
To this effect Vital Green (VG) contributes significantly to Pakistan's agri sector by promoting sustainable practices and providing farmers with high-quality organic fertiliser solutions. The products are designed to improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce environmental impacts while helping farmers minimise input costs.
Vital Green is also dedicated to providing farmers with education and training on the latest organic farming techniques.
