Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activity, Quarterly Performance Report FY 2021 Q3

PATTA engages the private sector to adapt, commercialize, promote, and disseminate affordable, effective, and appropriate agricultural technologies to smallholder farmers in Pakistan. The activity has a total estimated cost of $8,171,832 and is implemented by Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) from April 28, 2017, to December 27, 2021. PATTA's geographic coverage includes Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with a focus on promoting 60 appropriate technologies suited to the cropping season, climate, and needs of smallholder farmers. Under component one, PATTA coordinated with its Supply Side Partners (SSPs) and facilitating partners to promote the selected technologies through planned activities in selected geographical locations. A key achievement during the quarter was the signing of a Commitment of Cooperation (CoC) with Bank Alfalah to enhance SSPs' financial access and increase the adoption of agricultural technologies by smallholder farmers. PATTA also facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bank Alfalah and the SSPs Cattlekit and Ravi Agric to secure financing of agricultural equipment at subsidized rates. PATTA supported 6 SSPs with the review and implementation of their Business and Marketing Plans (BMPs), and most SSPs have implemented BMP recommendations and adopted the latest technologies for effective marketing, leading to the economic uplift of their companies. Additionally, PATTA organized refresher trainings for the sales staff of the SSP Sayban International. Under component two, PATTA organizes different capacity-building initiatives for Demand Side Partners (DSPs) to improve their overall businesses and increase smallholder farmer access to affordable, appropriate, and effective agricultural technologies. In this quarter, PATTA planned DSP trainings in selling and marketing skills, financial management, and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) programming. PATTA continued to face the Covid-19 related challenges over the quarter, such as inability to organize large farmer gatherings and in-person agricultural technology expos. However, the activity was able to execute several planned activities, including a virtual Taxation & Financial Management Training for SSP staff to facilitate their compliance with new amendments in Taxation laws. The activity's progress against key indicators, implementation challenges, and financial updates are highlighted in this report, which covers the period from April 1, 2021, to June 30, 2021. The report also includes a Commitment of Cooperation (CoC) with Bank Alfalah, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Bank Alfalah and the SSPs Cattlekit and Ravi Agric, and a review of the Business and Marketing Plans (BMPs) of 6 SSPs. PATTA's partnerships with financial institutions, such as Bank Alfalah and United Bank Ltd. Pakistan, have been instrumental in enhancing SSPs' financial access and increasing the adoption of agricultural technologies by smallholder farmers. The activity's focus on promoting appropriate technologies, capacity-building initiatives for DSPs, and financial support to SSPs has contributed to the economic uplift of smallholder farmers and the private sector in Pakistan. The activity's progress and achievements during the quarter demonstrate its commitment to USAID's Development Objective 3 and its goal of increasing private sector-led inclusive economic growth in Pakistan.