TEXT: Fatima Group (FG) being one of the fastest growing industrial conglomerates of Pakistan, has been determined to create maximum opportunities for local jobs and improving human capital ever since its formation in 1936. The corporation's belief to reduce the nation's dependency on imported goods and producing export quality products is evident by its upward movement along the manufacturing value chain, through utilization of innovative manufacturing technologies.
Fatima Group is also an internationally certified manufacturer of fertilizer by International Fertilizer Association (IFA).
The Group started off as a commodity trading business, which rapidly expanded into other industries ranging from fertilizers, energy, sugar, venture capital, packaging and textiles. In December 2003, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited (FFL) was incorporated under the 2001 Fertilizer Policy of the Government of Pakistan, whereby it is engaged in production of formulated and specialized Nitrogen and Phosphate based fertilizer. The complex is spread over an area of 950 acres and is situated at Mukhtar Garh, near Sadiqabad, District Rahim Yar Khan. Its development phase was completed in 2009, whereas commercial production at the complex started on July 01, 2011.
Under the privatization policy of Government of Pakistan, Pakarab Fertilizer Limited in Multan, was acquired by Fatima Group and Arif Habib Group in July 2005. Both Pakarab Fertilizer Limited and Fatima Fertilizer Limited are designed to manufacture 2.1 million metric tons per annum of fertilizers. Production of both plants is marketed under the brand name of 'Sarsabz'. FatimaFert, located in Sheikhupura is another fertilizer plant owned by Fatima Group that produces Urea and markets DAP fertilizer under the brand name, 'Babber Sher'.
Driven by the passion to improve agri-economy of Pakistan and elevate the status of farmers, Fatima Group realizes the transformational impact innovative agricultural technologies have for improved productivity and enhanced competitiveness, therefore it actively focuses on agricultural development by embracing modernity and forging mutually beneficial ventures for the ultimate benefit of the local growers.
As Pakistani soil is 100% deficient in Nitrogen and 70-80% deficient in Phosphorous - the major nutrients primarily responsible in increasing plant growth, biomass and yield, therefore FFL introduced a high value alternative to the usual pairing of the widely used Urea and Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) as sources of Nitrogen and Phosphorus for crops in Pakistan, i.e. Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Nitrophos (NP). This combination offers an increased yield of 10% on average, as proved by an extensive research on more than a hundred demo plots in collaboration with University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The yield increase helped the farmers in recovering their initial investments on fertilizers and also earned them additional profits, thereby, quickly becoming the preferred choice of farmers.
Likewise, Pakistan's national textile sector is largely dependent on cotton industry and is also one of the major exporters of cotton yarn, which highlights the industry's importance for the agri-ecconomy, but due to the usage of substandard quality of cotton seeds, the production quality and quantity of this crop are continuously degenerating. Fatima Group is therefore, taking effective measures to save this principal crop from further decline and helping uplift the associated industries by entering into a joint venture with Sapphire and Nishat Textiles in 2019, under the name of SANIFA, to introduce high yield hybrid cotton seeds in Pakistan.
Furthermore, robust steps to introduce precision farming in Pakistan, aimed at maximizing agricultural output through adoption of latest irrigation technologies and farming methods, saving 20% water consumption on rice by introducing the latest dry sowing methodology to farmers of Punjab to help the tail end cotton farmers of Sindh, who find it difficult to meet their crop's water requirements are some of the few trailblazers of Fatima Group for the development of agriculture sector of Pakistan.
FFL has always been very vocal about the uplift of agri- economy through the uplift of its main constituents i.e. farmers. By means of its active digital presence, FFL is leading the way for others to follow through provision of technical sessions to the farmers, and effective campaigns to help them safeguard against Covid-19 and locust attacks by delivering timely information and tips. It also considers the farmers' socio-economic development and promotes their participation in recreational activities and sports by organizing or supporting events such as various farmer fairs, kabbadi, tent-pegging, wrestling and cricket.
Besides, Fatima Group has successfully been able to celebrate the farmers who are responsible for ensuring food security for the nation by marking a special day for them called Farmer's Day in 2019 with the Government's support. This day will be celebrated every year
nationwide, henceforth on December 18, made possible through FFL's 'Salam Kissan' initiative to promote the welfare and prosperity of small farmers. Likewise, FFL will soon be launching a web series named 'Kissan Kahani' depicting true rural stories where it will pay tribute not only to the male farmers but also to the females of those families who are just as hardworking and courageous as their male counterparts.
Fatima Group is categorically supporting the Government's 'Make in Pakistan' policy by working relentlessly to increase industrial production, in a bid to create employment opportunities, offer import substitutions and eventually enhance exports to ameliorate Pakistan's economy.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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