HBL Microfinance Bank and HBL Zarai Services announce partnership to empower farmers

KARACHI: HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB) and HBL Zarai Services Limited (HZSL) have formed a strategic partnership aimed at empowering farmers through improved access to financial and agricultural support services, a statement said.

This collaboration underscores a shared vision of fostering sustainable agricultural development and enhancing rural livelihoods.Under the partnership, HBL MfB, with its extensive expertise in providing tailored financial solutions to smallholder farmers, will establish a presence at HBL Zarai’s Deras, thus offering microfinance products designed to meet their agricultural needs.

Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Amir Khan, president and CEO, HBL Microfinance Bank, remarked, “Our partnership with HZSL is a step forward in strengthening the backbone of Pakistan’s economy -- the agriculture sector. As Pakistan’s largest microfinance bank and a leader in agricultural financing, we take pride in supporting rural communities with innovative financial solutions that address their unique challenges. Together with HZSL, we aim to empower farmers by providing them with the resources, knowledge, and tools to make informed decisions, enhance their agricultural practices, and access financial services needed to thrive in an evolving landscape.”

“This partnership reflects our vision to provide holistic solutions to the farming community,” said Amer Aziz, CEO of HZSL. “By combining HZSL’s expertise in agronomic support on both sides of the agriculture production equation with HBL MfB’s financial services, we are creating a platform that addresses the comprehensive needs of farmers, helping them achieve greater productivity, and sell efficiently and to grow sustainably.”

HZSL’s field team will actively encourage potential HBL MfB customers to channel their loan proceeds into value-added services offered by HZSL. These services include the purchase of high-quality agricultural inputs, availing mechanisation services, and leveraging actionable agronomic advisory services for improved crop yields and sustainable farming practices. HZSL will also assist in arranging periodic meetings between farmers and HBL MfB field officers to facilitate direct communication and maintain accurate records of financing programs. HZSL will assist farmers in achieving better price discovery for their crops and facilitate efficient crop-offtake arrangements, ensuring timely payments and protecting farmers from exploitation.