LAHORE: Nestle Pakistan has disbursed Rs 114 million among almost 100 dairy farmers through National Bank of Pakistan under the PM's Youth Loan Scheme.
The Company's Head of Corporate Affairs Waqar Ahmad said here Wednesday that Nestle Pakistan and NBP had entered into a partnership in 2015 to facilitate young farmers under PM's Youth Loan Scheme. Around 400 farmers had applied for loan assistance and the company facilitated 100 farmers, while applications of others were being processed.
He said that agriculture was an important segment of the national economy and it was important that farmers be provided necessary incentives. More than half of the population of Pakistan lives in rural areas, he said and added that among them, over 46 per cent of those employed are in the agriculture sector.
Commenting on the disbursement of loans to farmers, Waqar Ahmad said that Pakistan had achieved an important place in the world as a major producer of milk and this was what further encourages us to assist the dairy farmers.
This partnership has helped Nestle to play a constructive role in the lives of young farmers and help them take advantage of incentives that would assist them in their future growth. This also fits in beautifully with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in this case, the second (Zero Hunger promoting sustainable agriculture), which Nestle was keen on helping achieve.
Leila Khan, who is the Chairperson of the Prime Minister's Youth Loan Scheme Project, said the initiative was aimed at improving the lot of the dairy farming community since they are the backbone of the agriculture sector. Such loans are important for small farmers. It is our responsibility to have a reliable and high-quality agriculture setup, she said. "We are glad that Nestle Pakistan has a proven approach in this regard and is contributing to poverty reduction", she added.
Mudassir H. Khan from NBP said, National Bank of Pakistan's relentless efforts to develop the under-privileged sector for the unemployed youth of Pakistan was the core component of the Bank's integrated community strategy. This goal of NBP was strengthened with the alliance of Nestle, he said.
"We will continue to extend our support and ensure that the skilled youth of Pakistan become job creators rather than job seekers, he added.
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