Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam, Dr. Fateh Marri, has emphasized the crucial role of agricultural modernization as the sector transitions towards industrialization.
He urged the banking sector to invest in agricultural innovation alongside production, highlighting the importance of micro-financing in promoting employment opportunities and entrepreneurship among agricultural graduates.
Dr. Fateh Marri shared these insights while addressing an “Awareness and Training Seminar on Agri Financing and Entrepreneurship Skills Development for University Students,” hosted by SAU’s Business Incubation Center and Department of Agricultural Economics, in collaboration with the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Islamabad of the State Bank of Pakistan, on Thursday.
Dr. Marri stressed the importance of advancing agricultural modernization to boost national development. He also noted that various forums have emphasized the significance of agricultural graduates in Agri. micro-financing, with ongoing efforts to create employment and paid internship opportunities for SAU graduates.
Muhammad Mazhar Shehzad, Joint Director of the State Bank of Pakistan Karachi, shared key details about the financial initiatives, explaining that loans of Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 1.5 million are being provided for agricultural businesses without guarantees. He also mentioned that loans up to Rs. 1.5 million are being offered with a 5% interest rate, while loans up to Rs. 7.5 million are available at a 7% interest rate to encourage young entrepreneurs.
Dr. Aijaz Ali Khunharo, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, discussed the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance entrepreneurial skills among agricultural graduates by offering specialized training and fostering connections with the private sector.
UBL’s Zonal Manager for the South region, Arif Ali Shah, highlighted their collaboration with SAU on a seed project, urging young people to take advantage of the entrepreneurship opportunities emerging in agriculture. He noted that this is the first-time partnership of this kind at the university.
Other speakers included Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director of University Advancement and Financial Assistance; Sibghatullah Noonari, Assistant Director of the State Bank of Pakistan Hyderabad; Dr. Hakimzadi Wagan; Ghulam Hussain Wagan, Deputy Director of the Business Incubation Center; and Ghulam Fatima Nizamani.
The event was well-attended, drawing heads of academic and administrative departments, faculty members, and a large number of students, all eager to learn more about the growing opportunities in agri-financing and entrepreneurship.