The appraisal panel of Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) has approved grants projects worth Rs 22.5 million for different agribusiness sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The panel approved these grants in its 22nd meeting held recently here, according to a spokesman of the Fund on Saturday.
Grants for SMEs approved by ASF appraisal panel were for a variety of projects including support for conducting field surveys and feasibility studies for setting up fruit processing units and dairy farms, support for capacity building training in certified vegetable seed production and mushroom cultivation and support for HACCP certification for fruit processing units and support for establishment of pack houses for fruit and vegetable processing units.
To improve the condition of dairy and livestock sector, grants were approved for provision of extension services regarding breed and feed management and fattening in different areas of Punjab with special focus on preservation of local breeds known for their high milk yield. Agribusiness SMEs will also be supported in attaining international certifications including British Retail Consortium (BRC), ISO 22000 and Integrated Management System Certifications.
Grants were also approved for supporting enterprises engaged in the export businesses to get registered with the `Export Coaching Program` (ECP) of the `Centre for the promotion of Imports from Developing Countries` (CBI), Netherlands, which will help the Pakistani exporters to understand the international procedures to enter into the EU markets.
ASF was created under the auspices of the Rs 4.1 Billion ADDP (Agribusiness Development & Diversification Project of Minfa) with support from ADB. The aim of ASF is to develop the agribusiness sector in Pakistan and thereby supporting economic growth and employment generation. ASF has been tasked with promoting the private sector agribusiness enterprises by providing matching grants for purchase of `Business Development Services` and also providing capacity building support to BDS providers.
