Agriculture plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, contributing around 19% to GDP and employing about 42% of the workforce, with grains being essential staple foods. Pakistan’s agriculture sector is projected to grow in 2024, with an expected growth rate of 6.25%. In Pakistan Wheat production is set to rise to 31.44 million tonnes, while rice production may reach a record 10 million tonnes. The construction of modern silos aims to improve storage capacity and reduce losses.
Agritech startups in Pakistan are focused on enhancing the agricultural value chain and improving outcomes for farmers. There are various trends and opportunities in this sector. An accelerator program helps startups connect and gain international visibility. Digital financial services are emerging to provide alternatives to traditional financing. International donors like the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are supporting these startups with funding and technical assistance. Additionally, government partnerships are promoting awareness among farmers and attracting more investment in agritech.
Here is the list of top 10 AgriTech startups in Pakistan
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Ricult
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: Lahore (Pakistan)
Ricult is a social enterprise that focuses on providing AI and tech-based digital solutions for smallholder farmers in developing countries, specifically in Pakistan and Thailand. It operates at the intersection of fintech and agtech.
Ricult aims to create digital products tailored to the needs of farmers and has already deployed its services to over 500,000 farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture value chain. The company offers a mobile platform that allows farmers to procure inputs, market their products, access credit for working capital and obtain agronomic services.
Ricult has partnered with major input suppliers and food processing companies in Pakistan and has representatives in rural areas to assist farmers with registration and support.
Tazah
- Founded Year: 2021
- Location: Lahore (Pakistan)
Tazah Technologies aims to digitize the agriculture value chain to empower farmers, suppliers and retailers in Pakistan. The agriculture sector is worth over $60 billion in Pakistn, and plays a crucial role in feeding the country but often under-rewards its key players. Tazah is on a mission to change this by transforming the agriculture and food value chains to provide lasting benefits for farmers and retailers.
Tazah technologies have two verticals, Tazah Global connects international food and agriculture buyers to produce from Pakistan. Tazah Karobar focuses on digitizing the agriculture value chain by bringing together farmers, dealers and manufacturers on a single platform.
Cowlar
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: Islamabad (Pakistan)
Cowalr Inc. provides IoT-enabled wearable devices for real-time monitoring of cattle. Their collar devices have sensors that measure temperature and heat cycle activities in animals. The data is collected and displayed on a software dashboard, which alerts farmers to any abnormal activities, such as unusual temperatures. By monitoring heat cycles, the system can also detect symptoms of disease in cattle.
Cowlar analyzes the data and provides dairy producers with actionable recommendations to optimize operations and improve herd health. Cowalr is a Y Combinator-backed startup focused on solving real problems with a multi-disciplinary tech team.
ConcaveAgri
- Founded Year: 1954
- Location: Islamabad (Pakistan)
Concave AGRI is a sister company of Sybrid under the Lakson Group. It is focused on revitalizing Pakistan’s agricultural ecosystem. The team consists of business, technical and agriculture experts dedicated to implementing modern technologies and practices.
The mission of ConcaveAgri is to become the largest one-stop solution for farmers, improving their economic situation and addressing food security challenges.
farmGhar
- Founded Year: 2020
- Location: Pakistan
farmGhar is an app-based marketplace for buying and selling livestock in Pakistan. Users can trade animals like cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, bulls and calves through a user-friendly mobile app.
The platform allows farmers and sellers to advertise their animals easily. It ensures security with an ad approval process to prevent fraud. Additionally, farmGhar provides veterinary assistance to check animal health. The app aims to simplify the buying and selling process, which makes it faster and more convenient for users, especially during events like Qurbani.
AgriDunya
- Founded Year: 2020
- Location: Karachi (Pakistan)
AgriDunya is an app-based marketplace that connects farmers, suppliers, buyers, processors and financial institutions. The platform allows farmers to list their agricultural products for sale and provides access to essential farming inputs like seeds, fertilizers and tools.
AgriDunya also offers consultancy and financial services, including loans and weather information. The mobile app helps farmers receive inputs on demand at their doorstep. Additionally, it features a B2B marketplace for direct trading of agricultural products and provides daily mandi rates and farming solutions.
QurbaniApp
- Founded Year: 2019
- Location: Islamabad (Pakistan)
Qurbani App Pvt Limited is an online marketplace for buying and selling livestock in Pakistan. It offers categories such as cows, goats, sheep and sadqah aqiqa.
The Qurbani App allows users to easily upload pictures and videos of animals for sale, making it convenient to conduct transactions online during Eid-ul-Adha. Users can sell animals like bakra, cow, bull, buffalo, goat, camel and sheep from anywhere in Pakistan, including major cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. This platform enables people to manage their sales from home safely, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ali Akbar Group
- Founded Year: 1993
- Location: Lahore (Pakistan)
Ali Akbar Group is a conglomerate in Pakistan that offers products and services for agriculture, energy and textiles. It manufactures and markets seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation solutions through a network of franchises and dealerships across the country.
The company has a large advisory service team and advanced laboratory facilities, earning the trust of millions of farmers in Pakistan. Ali Akbar Group focuses on enhancing agricultural systems to improve farmers’ yields and promote sustainable economic development.
With a commitment to innovation and quality, the group aims to address modern challenges and provide comprehensive solutions in agriculture, which includes accessories and efficient irrigation systems. Over the years, it has expanded into new markets, including yarn, petrochemicals, solar energy and drip irrigation systems.
PakAgri Market
- Founded Year: 2018
- Location: Islamabad (Pakistan)
Pak Agri Market is an online marketplace for agricultural inputs and produce. It offers a wide range of products including machinery, seeds, fruits, vegetables and plants. The platform aims to bridge the information gap for rural farmers and connect key players in the agriculture ecosystem, such as input suppliers and peer farmers.
Vendors can showcase their products online, which made it easier for farmers to shop from home while helping vendors reach a larger audience. The platform features over 5,000 vendors from the agriculture sector.
Farmers and individuals can advertise their produce and livestock to potential clients, connecting them with exporters, agri businesses and local markets.
Pak Zar Zameen
- Founded Year: 2018
- Location: Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
PakZar Zameen is a company that offers aerial mapping, imagery and spraying services for farmers. It uses drone technology to provide precision agriculture services, helping farmers monitor and track their crops. The company also offers an Android app called Kisan Zar Zameen, which provides information on soil conditions, crop health analysis and weather forecasting using multispectral imagery from satellites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pakistan’s agriculture sector is poised for growth, with significant increases in wheat and rice production. The grain industry remains crucial for food security and nutrition. Emerging innovations in agriculture like regenerative agriculture are offering solutions to environmental challenges in Pakistan.
Trends such as IoT sensors for monitoring soil and crop conditions, along with digital tools for optimizing farm operations, will help meet the needs of a growing population sustainably.
