NATIONAL AGRIPRENEURS TRAINING CAMP (18th January, 2015)

Pakistan is basically a farming community. About 67% of its population is living in rural areas and nearly 47% of them engaged in farming, livestock and agro-based industries. According to survey report of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in 2014; As many as 58.7 million people in Pakistan are living in multidimensional poverty with 46 per cent of rural population and 18 percent of urban households falling below the poverty line.

The progress of agriculture sector provides a sound base for economic development and is considered one of the preconditions for takeoff or self sustained growth.

A shift from agriculture to agribusiness is an essential pathway to revitalize Pakistan's agriculture and to make more attractive and profitable venture. Agripreneurship have the potential to contribute to a range of social and economic development such as employment generation, income generation, poverty reduction and improvements in nutrition, health and overall food security in the national economy. Agripreneurship has potential to generate growth, diversifying income, providing widespread employment and entrepreneurial opportunities both in rural and urban areas.

On 18^th January, 2015 Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan organized “National Agripreneurs Training Camp” at Ranjha Agri Tourism Park. Wah Miana 15 km Bhabra Roar Kot Momin M-2, Sarodha. Agri. Education Pakistan was honored to serve as a partner and facilitator of that event. The main objective of that event was to train the students and agriculture loving people, how to start a successful business of agriculture.

Different speakers like Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shouq (AMBSSDOR at Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan, Editor in Chief at THE VETERINARY NEWS & VIEWS), Mr. Tariq Tanveer (CEO & Founder at Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan), Akhlaq Khan Kakar (Father of mushroom culture), Kashif Bukhari (Forest Officer, Lahore), Muhammad Safeer Abbas Jafery (President, Agri. Education Pakistan; Deputy Editor, Vet. News and Views), Muhammad Jarrar Ahmed (Secretary General, Agri. Education Pakistan) Sajid Iqbal Sandhu (CEO Greem Circles), Dr. Shaukat Ali (Chairman Agri Hunt, Agri. Extension Department, UAF) address on the following contents:

·         Why people decide to become entrepreneurs and why should you be a Agripreneur?

·         Characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.

·         Common myths regarding entrepreneurship and reality.

·         Impact of entrepreneurial firms on economies and societies.

·         The entrepreneurial process Agripreneurship and its importance.

·         Scope of Agri-tourism and Entertainment Farming in Pakistan.

·         Farm based market and picks your own enterprise

·         Explore agricultural entrepreneurship from field/farm to dining table. 

Furthermore, Mr. Tariq Tanveer introduced his future plan of “SUNDAY FARMER MARKET” in Lahore. This plan will be helpful for selected Agripreneur/Farmer to sell their products/goods direct to consumer. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shouq commenced a new project of “Loves Parks”. According to this project the people of Pakistan will plant a tree for their love ones. Our special thanks to Mr. Ehtizaz Hassan (Head Volunteer for the event) and Respected Mr. Asif Sultan (Area Coordinator, SGD, AEP), Syed Yazdan Shah (Asst. PRO, AEP) and Waseem Ahmed Kashif (Wildlife Advisor, AEP) to facilitate the cause with great enthusiasm.

Students of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab and University of Arid Agriculture also participated in that event on the behalf of Agri. Education Pakistan. Musical night was also arranged in this training camp.

 For Pictorial Details Please Visit the Link: Event Pictures

 Report By: Sundus Akhter (PhD Scholar, Area Coordinator, Lhr, AEP)