The Finance Division, in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Banks Association, has launched Zarkheze, a digital platform aimed at expanding access to agricultural financing for farmers across the country.
Under the initiative, farmers can digitally apply for loans of up to Rs1 million through the Zarkheze application.
Following required verifications and agronomic assessments, applications will be forwarded to the bank selected by the farmer for processing. Of the approved financing, 75% will be disbursed in kind for the purchase of agricultural inputs through banks’ pre-approved agri-vendors.
In addition to financing, farmers will receive agri-advisory services through the Land Information Management System, intended to support better crop planning and productivity. Authorities said the integrated approach is designed to combine access to formal credit with quality inputs and advisory support.
To encourage banks to extend financing to small farmers, the government has offered a 10% first-loss coverage and an operational cost subsidy of Rs10,000 per borrower for any net increase in outstanding agricultural borrowers. The incentives are aimed at reducing lending risk and expanding outreach to underserved segments.
The Finance Minister said the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve financial inclusion, support rural development, and strengthen food security by improving small farmers’ access to formal credit. The central bank said digitising the credit process would help reduce barriers faced by small farmers and support wider adoption of digital payments in rural areas.
The Pakistan Banks Association said member banks would work closely with the government and the central bank to expand the platform’s reach and streamline lending processes, particularly for smallholders and landless farmers operating in largely undocumented segments of the economy.
The Zarkheze application is available on the Google Play Store, while farmers can also approach their nearest bank branch for assistance with digital onboarding.
