Welivego

KARACHI: The bulk of Pakistan's population depends on the agriculture industry, which continues to be the foundation of the nation's economy. About 24% of the nation's GDP is derived from agriculture, which also employs 50% of its labor force. Both rural and urban residents depend on the agriculture sector for their food.

Rice, wheat, cotton, fruits, and vegetables are just a few of the huge variety of agricultural products that Pakistan produces and exports to other nations across the world, providing a significant source of foreign exchange gains. But the industry suffers a number of difficulties, such as a lack of research and development, inadequate supply chain management, soil deterioration, and a lack of funding.

While promoting social, economic, and environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture business companies have emerged as possible answers to these problems. Exploring the role of sustainable agriculture in resolving these issues and fostering the industry's growth is crucial given the importance of the agriculture sector to Pakistan's economy and the difficulties it faces.

The goal of sustainable agriculture is to grow food and other agricultural products while minimizing their adverse effects on the environment, increasing their economic viability, and promoting social fairness. Sustainable agriculture businesses in Pakistan are beginning to take off and provide creative answers to the nation's agricultural problems.

Despite the fact that this is a national problem that requires government response, some private enterprises are entering this glaringly underserved market to address the most pressing issues. Descon, a conglomerate with headquarters in Pakistan, is one such organization that has expanded its focus to include sustainable agribusiness initiatives that solve Pakistan's ongoing food security issues. Descon has started investing in projects to support innovation and developments in the agricultural sector thanks to its expertise in the engineering, electricity, and chemical sectors.

The company has been making a number of efforts to raise the standard of agriculture and assist farmers in experimenting with new techniques and technology for higher yields and improved crop nutrition. The company then made a few investments in already-existing export-oriented businesses with the intention of becoming a key player in the agro sector over the next ten years.

Descon bought stock in two agricultural companies in March 2022: Vital Agri Nutrients, which focuses on research and development and manufactures specialty fertilizers, micronutrients, and soil amendments; and Vital Green, which primarily engages in contract farming and facilitates access to high-quality inputs, credit, extension services, and related advisory services.

Vice Chairman of Descon Faisal Dawood thinks that the agriculture sector has enormous potential for innovation and growth, particularly in terms of boosting productivity and exports. Although Pakistan was once a prosperous agricultural country, its farming sector has recently suffered from a lack of innovation and focus. The Express Tribune was informed by Dawood that Descon was "determined to catalyze the change with strategic interventions in this vertical, from farming to the consumer."