ZTBL hosts high-level delegation from FAO

ISLAMABAD: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) hosted a high-level delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its Head Office, Islamabad. The delegation was led by James Robert Okoth, Officer-in-Charge, FAO. The President/CEO ZTBL shared a documentary presenting ZTBL’s contribution toward the uplift of small and subsistence farmers, who constitute 96pc of the farming community in Pakistan. He shared that ZTBL Has a network of 501 branches, of which 449 are located in rural, underserved, and unbanked areas of the Country. ZTBL’s presence in 58pc of the rural mouzas/deh of Pakistan, reaffirm its role as the bank of small farmers. Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti briefed the delegation on ZTBL’s turnaround performance of past three years, marked by highest financial growth supported by launch of digital banking products and Services, employment generation opportunities for fresh graduates/postgraduates, and outreach Initiatives such as ZTBL Zarai Baithaks and Mobile Van Services. All these initiatives of bank are aimed to increase small farmers’ productivity both in crops and livestock sector which can significantly contribute to agricultural GDP. James Robert Okoth appreciated ZTBL’s pivotal role in supporting Pakistan’s agriculture sector and shared insights into FAO’s operations, which span 75 districts across the country. He highlighted FAO’s Work in crop and livestock value chains, climate change adaptation, and farmer group-based trainings, animal tagging, and meat production initiatives etc. He further highlighted the FAO projects in flood affected Districts of Pakistan. During the discussion, FAO expressed its keen interest in partnering with ZTBL for the training of farmers, whereby ZTBL may also showcase its financial products and services to farming community. Both sides acknowledged strong synergies in their mandates, particularly in the areas of small farmers training e. g. ZaraiBaithak (ZTBL initiative) and farmer field school (FAO), livestock development, and value chain enhancement. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore collaboration aimed at enhancing farmer outreach, improving productivity, and promoting sustainable growth in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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