Introduction

A dynamic commercial and marketing company has been looked out since long for transferring the knowledge and technical know how, available with National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in general and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in particular, to the ultimate end users viz. agro-industries and farmers. To fill this gap, PARC on the directive of Government of Pakistan has established an Innovative Product Marketing Company viz. PARC Agrotech Company (Pvt) Limited – PATCO with its head office at Islamabad. The company got incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984) on 11th April, 2008. The company is limited by shares.

The creation of an agribusiness company is imperative to address the future challenges of agro-technological development and shifting to commercial science based agriculture. The company is providing a platform to all the players, both from the public and private sector, to interact, invest and commercialize innovations incubated within a PARC research park, for public consumption.

Team of Professionals Behind the Success of PATCO

Muhammad Ali Rafiq

Assistant Manager(F&A)

Muhammad Asghar

Technical Manager

Muhammad Amjad Shakeel

AM Project Management/ ACS

Muhammad Muneeb Nasir

Technical Manager (Business Development)

Dr. M. Younis Arian

Manager Agri. Production & Processing

Muhammad Ehtesham Iqbal

Assistant Manager Soil Sciences

Dr. Muhammad Usman

Manager (Animal Sciences)

Nasir Abbas Sajjid

Manager Supply Chain

Muhammad Imran

Manager Marketing & Sales

Ali Raza Bajwa

Manager Finance & Accounts

PARC Agrotech Company (PATCO) Profile

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)

PARC is an Apex agriculture research organization at the national level. It has five centres that spread in different agro-ecological regions of Pakistan. The major ecologies covered are Mountainous area of GB, rainfed Pothowar, arid ecology of D.I Khan, dry areas of Balouchistan and desert/tropical zones of Sindh. These five centres further include 45 institutions/research stations for addressing complex issues of the diversified agriculture sector. The PARC centres/institutes are well equipped with the research laboratories, farmlands and trained manpower. Currently working in the PARC system are around 2200 human resources that comprise 140 Ph.D and 236 M.Phil/MS. PARC mandated to collaborate/coordinate with international research system, academia and provincial agriculture research organizations for agriculture research & development purposes. The major mandate and functions of PARC are as under:

Functions of PARC

  • To undertake, aid, promote and coordinate agricultural research
  • To arrange the expeditious utilization of the research results
  • To establish research establishments mainly to fill in the gaps in existing programs of agricultural research
  • To arrange the training of high-level scientific manpower in agricultural sciences
  • To generate, acquire and disseminate information relating to agriculture
  • To establish and maintain a reference and research library
PARC Agrotech Company (Private) Limited (PATCO)

PATCO is a dynamic commercial and marketing company for fast track transfer of innovative agriculture research in the form technologies, products and services available with the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in general and PARC in particular. The ultimate users of PARC knowledge are primarily farming community, international partners, private entrepreneurs, companies, traders, distributors, development partners, service providers, and consumers.

Genesis of OF PATCO A Commercial Arm of PARC

PATCO was primarily allowed to be instituted at PARC for transforming the slow technology transfer processes to adequately address one of the important PARC functions i.e. to arrange the expeditious utilization of the research results laid down in PARC Ordinance No. XXXVII of 1981. PARC in its reform agenda presented to Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25th August 2006 proposed the creation of a company to achieve the goals like;

  • Quick outreach to the stakeholders
  • Revenue generation for R&D
  • Incentives for contributing scientists.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan very kindly approved the proposed action plan vide PM Secretariate u.o. No. 2 (63)/DS (E-II-I)/2006 dated 07-09-2006 to the Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock. The same was communicated by the respective ministry to PARC vide its F. No. 8-2/2006-PD (M&E) dated 16th September 2006.

Implementation of PM’s decisions were taken by PARC in letter & spirit and approval of the Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture & Livestock/President of PARC Board of Governors (BOG) was solicited vide PARC U.O. Note No. 3-3/98 (DAB) dated 19-09-2007. After obtaining the requisite approval, Executive Committee of the BOG in its meeting held on April 04, 2008, passed the resolution by naming the proposed company as PARC Agrotech Company (Private) Limited – (PATCO) and declared the two Nominee Directors by their designation to fulfil the basic requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The PARC Agrotech Company (Pvt.) Ltd. was registered under section 32 of the Company Ordinance 1984 (Revised Company Act 2017).

Prime Minister Approval for PATCO Business Plan
  • Inspection of PARC/NARC by Prime Minister Inspection Commission
  • (PM’s Office. u.o.No. 1278/M/SPM/19 Dated 3rd April, 2019)
  • Order for Submission of PATCO Business Plan along with Revenue, Cost & Profitability Targets for Next 3 Years to the Advisor on Institutional Reforms and Austerity
  • (PM’s Office. u.o.No. 2(4)/DS(IA-IV)/20-285 Dated 16 July, 2020)
  • Endorsement of PATCO Business Plan by Advisor on Institutional Reform & Austerity and Submitted to Prime Minister
  • (PM’s Office. 1/105/20 /IRC Dated 02 March, 2021)
  • Approval of PATCO Business Plan by Prime Minister
  • (PM’s Office u.o.No. 2(4)/DS(IA-IV)/2020-285 Dated 23-4-2021).
PATCO’s Vision Statement

Prosperous and technology-based agriculture through fast track commercialization of R&D knowledge in Pakistan.

PATCO’s Mission Statement

Promotion of innovation research & development through the transfer of technologies and knowledge to the stakeholders.

PATCO Business Scenarios

PATCO developed nine different business scenarios in partnership with the scientist, finance & accounts personnel through a rigorous process to present Executive Committee and BOG of PARC for approval and validation in 2014. The detail of the business scenarios:

 

Scenario 1 Product Technology and Process One time sale of Innovation/Technology to Private sector
Scenario 2 Produce/Commodity

Option 1: Operation Cost will be fully met by PARC

Option 2: Operation Cost will be met Partially by                            PATCO/PARC

Option 3: Operation cost will be fully met by PATCO

Scenario 3 Value Added Product Investment by PATCO for pilot testing
Scenario 4 Services Technical Services by PARC Scientists
Scenario 5 Consultancy Consultancy Services through third party
Scenario 6 Trainings Demand Bace Human Resource Development
Scenario 7 Lab Testing / Certification Facility Lab Infrastructure use for quality testing
Scenario 8 PATCO Owned Commercial Projects Upscaling of technology products through PPP
Scenario 9 Financial Management Services F&A services to third party for R&D Projects
PATCO Business Model

The principal business of the company is marketing and promotion of research and development (R&D) of products and services developed by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), its research centres and other centres operating under National Agricultural Research System (NARS). PATCO is a unique company having a business model in the agriculture sector to develop technologies/products, pilot scale testing, marketing to the customers and commercial production enhancement through the private sector to meet the high demand of the customers. The key points/steps of PATCO business model are given below:

The Business Model includes

  1. Addressing agriculture challenges/issues
  2. Knowledge/innovation developed by NARS/PARC
  3. Pilot-scale testing by PATCO
  4. Marketing by PATCO
  5. Demand-based upscaling plan
  6. Partner involvement for investment
  7. Feasibility based investment plan
  8. Commercial production & marketing
  9. Establishment of display centre/franchises
  10. Developing certified brands for domestic and international markets
PATCO Business Portfolios

The PATCO has various business portfolios including technologies, products, commodities, services and lab testing. The detail is as under:

Business Portfolios Items
Technologies Seeds of wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, millet, oats, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane & vegetable; fruit nursery plants of sweet oranges, mexican lemon, olive, avocado, kiwi, peach, plum, pomegranate, guava etc.; rangeland & foresty plants/seeds; tissue-cultured banana plants & potato tubers, summer & winter vegetable seedlings/seeds; biozote N, P & max; vermicompost, organic compost, huminarc; feed blocks and milk booster.
Products & Commodities Certified honey brands like margallah, sider, acacia, eucalyptus, citrus etc.; fresh fruits, dehydrated fruits and vegetables; solar-dried dates; jams & soymilk; cattle feed, silage; yogurt, cheese, pasteurized milk, fresh milk; cold chain & ornamental fish; angora rabbit; herbs; wheat and multi-grain flour, bakery items & safe drinking water etc.
Services Fumigation, rodent, termite and pest control; disease diagnostic, pesticides’ residue; animal health; capacity building & training and financial management etc.
Lab Testing DNA based varietal identification; poultry diseases diagnosis; plant diseases; soil & plant health analysis, irrigation water quality; animal nutrition, seed testing, food quality, pesticide residue & oil quality etc.
Others Hybrid adaptability trials, consultancy & tech. expert’s visits etc.
PATCO Business Growth Since Inception

PATCO started its business activities by borrowing 500,000/- loan amount from PARC during 2008 which was paid back within a year. Technology multiplication and marketing activity started during the initial phase were converged into full fledge in nine business scenarios within 2 to 3 years. The business scenarios were first presented internally to the Executive Committee (EC) of the Council and subsequently to PARC Board of Governance (BOG) for approval.The business scenarios served as a stepping stone for entering into a different kind of partnership among scientists, companies, distributors, traders and other business partners at national and international level.

National Collaborations for Provision of Services
Agency Name Collaboration for Collaboration Cost of Services (Million PKR) Duration / Status
National Rural Support Program (NRSP) Provision of quality seed & Bio Fertilizer (kitchen gardening kits / seeds / cattle farming feeds & lab testing services) 25 Jan-2018  – In Progress
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Rodent Control at PTA Headquarters, Islamabad

0.47

Mar. 2023 to Sept. 2023
PSDP Pulses Project Provision of quality seed 17 Completed
Punjab Seed Corporation Provision of basic and pre-basic seeds 18 Completed
SUPARCO Rodent control services 1.9 CompletedCompleted
PEPSI COLA Lab testing services 8 December 2021
Research  & Development Foundation (RDF) Tharparker Smart Agriculture with respect to climate change (Capacity building consultancy for Sindh Agriculture Department Staff ) 2.3 Completed
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Rodent Control at PTA Headquarters, Islamabad 0.47 Completed
Agriculture Linkages Program (ALP) Govt. of Pakistan Recommendation of Technologies and Farm Practices of Major Crops in Context of Decreasing Profitability in Pakistan 4.51 Completed
Agriculture Linkages Program (ALP) Govt. of Pakistan Capacity Building of NARC Scientists in Advance Analytical Techniques 3.59 Completed
PEPSI COLA Lab testing services 8.00 Completed
SUPARCO Rodent control services 1.9 Completed
NARC Construction of Bio-Gas Plant at NARC BARD Yard 0.34 Completed
Punjab Seed Corporation Provision of basic and pre-basic seeds 18.00 Completed
National Rural Support Program (NRSP) Provision of quality seed & Bio Fertilizer (kitchen gardening kits/seeds/cattle farming feeds & lab testing services) 25 Completed
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) Poverty Alleviation and Economic Growth through Sustainable use of Natural Resources in Noorpur Thal 1.00 Completed
PARC Govt. of Pakistan Identification and mapping of Land use Resource of Mithawan Rod-Khoi area D. G. Khan Punjab 2.50 Completed
PARC Govt. of Pakistan Assessment of Rod Khoi Water Potential Region of Pakistan 3.00 Completed
PARC Govt. of Pakistan Identification of Resource Characteristics Barkhan Rod-Khoi in Kaha Basin, balochistan 1.00 Completed
PSDP Pulses Project Provision of quality seed 17 Completed
NARC Construction of Bio Gas Plant at Nankana Sahib 0.32 Completed
NARC Construction of Bio-Gas Plant – Khane Wal 0.32 Completed
International Collaborations
Agency Name Collaboration  PKR Million Duration
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Strengthening Food Security Post COVID-19 and Locust Attacks in Pakistan 65 In Progress
WINROCK International Strengthening of Banana Tissue Culture Lab at NSTHRI, Thatta-Sindh 56 In Progress
International Organization for Migrants (IOM) Capacity Building for Livelihood Improvement in Merged Areas, KPK (Anex-I list of training) 112 In Progress
IOM Baseline Survey for Capacity Building in Merged Areas, KPK 11 May 2022 to March 2023
Asia Pacific Network Japan (APN) Pathways to Strengthening Capabilities for Climate Smart Agriculture in Pakistan 7 Jan 2021 to Nov 2021
CIMMYT-USAID Cropping Pattern Zonation of Pakistan 41 January 2019 to December 2019
FAO

Provision of Quality Seeds of field crops & vegetables and animal feed. Capacity Building of farmers and Staff. Lab testing services.

63 July 2018 to Feb, 2022
Humanitarian Assistance & Development Pakistan (Hands) Provision of quality vegetable seed for Tharparkur Sindh  Capacity building of Sindh Agricultural Department Staff). 21

January 2018 to Feb 2022

PATCO went through a long phase of pilot-scale production and marketing of technologies in the second phase from 2012 to 2019. The third phase started from 2020 onward that includes enhancement of seed production, lab testing, capacity building we also engaged with some companies that have international distribution network were also engaged as partners for the promotion of products/brands for national and international markets. The new partnerships development trends between PATCO and the private sector for a diversified range of innovations for sustainable availability of technology to the wide spectrum of end-users.

MoU/Agreements With Private Sector

PATCO has signed more than 25 MoU/Agreements with private sector to achieve the set targets. Project targets are being achieved in letter & spirit with the help of Governement of Pakistan by providing protection to public-private partnership (PPP). The detail of important active PPP agreements is as below:

Private Parties Description of Agreement
Solution & Services Production of high nutritive value food products under the supervision of the Food Sciences Research Institute, NARC.
Solution & Services Production of safe drinking water “Aqua PARC” under the supervision of Land Resources Research Institute, NARC.
Winrock International Provision of banana tissue clture plants at own subsidized rate to farmers in Sindh.
AKIN FOODS Provision of Soy Products at PARC Display Centres.
NTC Eco Farms Contract Farming, Seed Multiplication, Technical Support, and other areas of Collaboration in the Agriculture Sector
GR Agro Services Promotion & Marketing of Biofertilizer (Biozote-Max, a product of Land Resources Research Institute), NARC.
Grow Tech Services (Pvt) Ltd. Promotion & Marketing of Biofertilizer (Biozote-Max, a product of Land Resources Research Institute), NARC.
Orbit Lines International Promotion & Marketing of Biofertilizer (Biozote-Max, a product of Land Resources Research Institute), NARC.

 

Impact of Few Interventions

The following few interventions are specifically mentioned just to high light that at what magnitude they will be influencing productivity enhancement goals as well as potential impacts on import and export scenarios. For instance, disease-free true to type potato tubers production will increase production up to 50% due to the enhanced use of generation one seed as compared to the currently imported seed of 7th generation. Similarly, quality crop seed availability will increase productivity from 05% to 15% for generating potential surpluses for domestic and export markets. Pakistan currently exporting low-quality honey products of worth USD 15 to 25 in low-end markets. Whereas, the real value of sider honey is around USD 100 in the high-end market which could be achieved if certified quality honey exported in such markets. The company has planned to develop state of the art facility lab and processing facility for targeting high-end markets.

Commodity Production Enhancement Impact on Import/Export
Tissue Culture (Potato Tubers) 50% 10% decrease in seed import of 18 million USD
Aeroponic (Potato Tubers) 50% 20% decrease in seed import of 18 million USD
Crop Seeds 05% to 15% Increase in exportable crops
Quality Honey Production For the high-end market 10% to 15% in quantitative terms & 100% in monetary terms.

PATCO’s Partners & Collaborators

Capacity Building

Training Offered by PATCO to Service Providers / Farmers and Stakeholders

S# Capacity Building / Training # of Beneficiaries Participants Area Duration Date Partners
1 Capacity Building on “Agricultural Production” with respect to climate change 53 Sindh 2 months April & May 2016 Research & Development Foundation (RDF)
2 Capacity building on “Through smart Agriculture techniques Strengthened Community livelihood” 33 Thar, Sindh 2 months April & May 2017 RDF
3 Capacity Building of farmers about modern agriculture technologies 103 N. Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai & Khyber 3 months March to May 2017 FATA Secretariat
4 Capacity Building of farmers on “Grapes Cultivation” 28 N. Waziristan 2 months February to March 2017 FATA Secretariat
5 Capacity Building of  farmers on “Vegetable Cultivation” 28 FATA area 2 months July to August 2017 FATA Secretariat
6 Advance Capacity Building of Service Providers as “Veterinary Lab Assistant” 5 FATA area 2 months Nov to Dec, 2018 FATA Secretariat
7 Training on Modern livestock techniques & exposure visits for the Veterinary Assistance 32 Orakzai 05 days Nov 2018 Pakistan Transition Initiative
8 Advance Capacity Building of  Veterinary Assistant on ” Modern Livestock Management Techniques” 103 FATA area 4 months February to May 2019 Pakistan Transition Initiatives
9 Training on Modern Livestock Management 60 Kurram 21 days April to June 2019 International Organization Migration (IOM)
10 Capacity Building on Improving Production of Wheat, Oats & Vegetables 109 Sindh 28 days Oct to Nov 2019 FAO(Thar Deep)
11 Capacity Building for Mushroom Cultivation & Tissue Culture 62 Kurram 12 days Sep to Oct 2020 IOM
12 Exposure visit of Modern Dairy Farm In Punjab 25 Kurram 4 days July 2021 IOM
13 Capacity Building of Olive Cultivation & its Value Addition Products 100 Kurram, North Waziristan & Khyber 20 days Jan 2021 to Mar 2022 IOM
14 Capacity Building on Social Cohesion Conflict Resolution 100 Kurram, North Waziristan 10 days Jan 2021 to Mar 2022 IOM