Engro Foundation has collaborated with DEG for skills development and livelihood projects in the province of Sindh. These projects are co-financed by DEG from public funds of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The initiatives include training of female farmers and micro-entrepreneurs in the dairy value chain through the Strengthening Entrepreneurs and Dairy Stakeholders Network (SEaDS Net) Project. The project is being implemented in the Khairpur district, and has helped accelerate 50 women-led micro-enterprises. Through support, these women entrepreneurs have experienced an income increase of up to 100%. More than 7,000 dairy farmers have also received training in better livestock management practices under the SEaDS Net project.
With the help of DEG, another farmer training project called Farmer Connect is also being implemented within Engro Fertilizer's value chain. The program aims at enhancing farm productivity of small farmers in rice-wheat crop areas of Punjab and Sindh through value-added farm advisory services. A grant by DEG is being used to train farmers on subjects like better crop management, zero tillage, water conservation, balanced nutrition, and ICT information. These training are being conducted in the district of Tando Mohammad Khan, and have resulted in improvement for farmers by way of enhanced knowledge, yield, and profitability. DEG has also co-financed establishment of a mechanical laboratory at the Technical Training Center (TTC) in Daharki. TTC is a state of the art training facility located near the Engro Fertilizer plant. It was established to provide skills training to the local youth and focus on developing the local labor pool by training underprivileged youth in Diplomas of Associate Engineering.
Engro has also been involved in the crop agriculture value chain through its rice and fertilizer businesses. Given the farming sector's low level of productivity, Engro, together with GIZ, implemented the System Productivity Innovative Rice Trainings (SPIRIT) Project to improve yields and reduce the usage of water, as well as other resources. The SPIRIT project successfully improved agricultural productivity, efficiency, and livelihoods for 10,000 farmers & 1,200 agri-farm support persons by training them in the areas of resource conservation, water saving, plant population management, improved harvesting, and best crop management practices in the rice and wheat cropping system.
I am the Change (IATC) is another initiative of Engro Foundation, intended to pay tribute to and assist in the endeavors of local change agents who work tirelessly to bring betterment for Pakistan's most impoverished. Engro Foundation's mission is to include the underprivileged in Engro's value chains, enhance the lives of people in its communities, and engage with relevant stakeholders on skills training and community development for a sustainable Pakistan. To this end, each Engro Group company allocates 1% of its annual profit before tax to Engro Foundation. Engro Corporation passionately pursues value creation for all stakeholders, with its numerous investments designed to deploy inclusive business models in pursuit of integrated and inclusive growth for all who interact with our businesses.
Engro is grateful to German development agencies like DEG and GIZ, which have shown their commitment towards positively impacting lives in Pakistan. Continued partnership with these organizations is a testament to Engro Foundation's standing as a partner of choice for implementation of inclusive business projects in the agri value chain. With a firm belief that the relationship between the people of Pakistan and Germany will continue to grow stronger, Engro Foundation sends its best wishes to the People of Germany on this German National Day.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017