“Zarkhez-e is Transforming Agriculture Credit Delivery Nationwide,” Says PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yousaf hailed Zarkhez-e as a landmark leap in modernizing agricultural credit delivery across Pakistan

LAHORE (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2026) Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yousaf hailed Zarkhez-e as a landmark leap in modernizing agricultural credit delivery across Pakistan. He emphasized that the initiative not only strengthens financial inclusion for farmers but also represents a major step in the country’s digital transformation journey. The platform has been designed and developed by PITB as the Ministry of Finance’s flagship digital agricultural finance initiative.

Zarkhez-e’s progress was reviewed during the recent Annual Meeting of the Agricultural Credit Advisory Committee (ACAC), chaired by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad. At the meeting, Zarkhez-e was recognized as a key enabler of efficient, transparent, and technology-driven agricultural lending. Representing PITB at the event, Joint Director Usman Waheed, shared strategic insights on the platform’s ongoing evolution. He outlined recommendations to strengthen adoption, including the implementation of a robust digital complaint management framework and the expansion of the vendor ecosystem, aimed at improving farmers’ access to certified inputs and digital advisory services.

Governor Jameel Ahmad lauded PITB’s efforts, acknowledging Zarkhez-e as a catalyst for digital transformation in agricultural credit delivery.

He underscored the initiative’s role in building a scalable, secure, and interoperable digital infrastructure that makes agricultural lending commercially viable while expanding access to formal credit for farmers nationwide.

It is pertinent to mention here that Zarkhez-e offers end-to-end digital onboarding of farmers, standardized data-driven credit assessment, integration with land and crop information systems, real-time loan traceability and monitoring, and an embedded vendor ecosystem for quality farm inputs. These features ensure streamlined credit processes, enhanced transparency, and better access to timely finance and advisory services for farmers.

Over 34,700 farmers have been registered on the platform, with more than 22,500 applications submitted and 8,000 approvals granted, amounting to a total of PKR 3.67 billion in approved credit.

Designed and developed by PITB as the core technology partner under SBP’s regulation, Zarkhez-e exemplifies a successful public-private collaboration aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s agricultural finance landscape. By combining innovative technology with farmer-centric services, the initiative marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward inclusive, tech-driven agriculture.