HBL Zarai Services Limited and ZTBL Join Hands to Empower Farmers
ISLAMABAD: HBL Zarai Services Limited (HZSL) and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance financial inclusion and modern agricultural services for farmers across Pakistan. This strategic partnership is designed to offer innovative financial solutions, mechanization support, and expert advisory services to enhance farm productivity and economic resilience.
As part of this collaboration, HZSL and ZTBL will integrate their respective platforms—‘HBL Zarai Deras’ and ‘ZTBL Zarai Baithaks’—to serve as centralized hubs providing agronomic guidance, financial assistance, and mechanization solutions. Additionally, ZTBL will refer farmers who can benefit from HBL Zarai’s specialized agricultural services, ensuring a seamless approach to modernizing Pakistan’s farming sector.hbl asaan account open online
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Amer Aziz, CEO of HBL Zarai Services Limited, underscored the significance of a farmer-centric financial model.
He explained that HBL Zarai’s integrated approach addresses farmers’ cash flow constraints through a buy-back business model, where they receive direct payments for their produce. This ensures timely financial support, allowing them to reinvest in their next crop cycle without delays.
Moreover, HBL Zarai provides farm inputs, mechanization services, and agro-advisory, helping to reduce post-harvest losses by 15-20% through the use of advanced harvesting equipment, thereby improving overall farm efficiency.
During the agreement signing, ZTBL President & CEO Mr. Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti presented a documentary highlighting Pakistan’s agriculture sector and ZTBL’s crucial role in supporting small and subsistence farmers. He noted that, under the PM Kissan Package, ZTBL has disbursed Rs. 37 billion in agricultural loans, including Rs. 12 billion specifically for farm mechanization, through its extensive network of over 500 branches, primarily serving rural, underserved, and unbanked communities.
He also introduced ZTBL’s key initiatives, such as ‘ZTBL Zarai Baithak,’ a farmer engagement platform offering expert advisory services, and the ‘ZTBL Mobile Van Service,’ which delivers financial services and agro-advisory support to remote farming communities. Emphasizing the importance of expanding financial inclusion, he highlighted the need for banks to onboard New-to-Bank (NTB) customers and diversify their financial offerings.
This collaboration reaffirms HZSL and ZTBL’s shared dedication to empowering farmers through financial inclusion, digital innovation, and sustainable agricultural practices. By merging modern banking solutions with advanced farming techniques, the initiative seeks to enhance productivity, expand mechanization access, and foster long-term economic growth for smallholder farmers.
