Islamabad, March 22, 2025: HBL Zarai Services Limited (HZSL) and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) have entered into a strategic partnership to boost financial inclusion and modern agricultural services for farmers across Pakistan.
This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to introduce innovative financial solutions.
Mechanization support, and expert advisory services to enhance farm productivity and ensure economic stability for the agricultural community.
Under this agreement, both institutions will leverage their respective platforms ‘HBL Zarai Deras’ and ‘ZTBL Zarai Baithaks’ to establish integrated service hubs.
These hubs will provide farmers with essential agronomic guidance, financial assistance, and mechanization facilities.
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Additionally, ZTBL will refer eligible farmers to HBL Zarai’s services, creating a seamless pathway to modernize Pakistan’s agricultural landscape.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Amer Aziz, CEO of HBL Zarai Services Limited, emphasized the significance of a farmer-focused financial model.
He explained that HBL Zarai addresses farmers’ cash flow constraints through a buy-back business model,
Ensuring they receive direct cash payments for their harvested produce. This system enables them to reinvest promptly in the next cropping cycle without financial delays.
Moreover, HBL Zarai’s mechanization services and agro-advisory support help reduce post-harvest losses by 15-20%, boosting overall farm efficiency.
President & CEO of ZTBL, Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti, presented a detailed documentary highlighting Pakistan’s agriculture sector and ZTBL’s role in supporting small-scale and subsistence farmers.
He shared that under the PM Kissan Package, ZTBL has disbursed Rs. 37 billion in agricultural loans, with Rs. 12 billion specifically allocated for farm mechanization.
Through its network of over 500 branches, primarily in rural and underserved regions, ZTBL continues to play a crucial role in strengthening financial accessibility for farmers.
Bhatti also introduced key ZTBL initiatives, including ‘ZTBL Zarai Baithak’ a platform facilitating expert advisory services.
The ‘ZTBL Mobile Van Service,’ which brings banking services and agricultural guidance directly to remote farming communities.
He stressed the importance of onboarding New-to-Bank (NTB) customers and diversifying banking portfolios to further financial inclusion.
This partnership marks a major step toward integrating modern banking solutions with advanced farming techniques. By fostering digital transformation and sustainable agricultural practices.
HZSL and ZTBL are committed to enhancing farmers’ productivity, increasing mechanization access, and ensuring long-term economic growth in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
