The Appraisal Panel of Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) has sanctioned funding for projects worth Rs 22.5 million for different Agribusiness Sector Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).

As per the statement released by ASF, “The Panel has approved these grants in its 22nd meeting held at Lahore today.”

The funds sanctioned by ASF Appraisal Panel were for a variety of projects such as support for conducting field surveys and feasibility studies for establishing fruit processing units and dairy farms, support for capacity building training in certified vegetable seed production and mushroom cultivation and support for HACCP Certification for fruit processing units and support for establishment of pack houses for fruit and vegetable processing units.

In order to improve the situation of dairy as well as livestock area, funds were allotted for provision of extension services concerning breed and feed management and fattening in different areas of Punjab with a special focus on preservation of local breeds known for their high milk yield.

The Agribusiness SMEs will also be supported in accomplishing international certifications like British Retail Consortium (BRC), ISO 22000 and Integrated Management System Certifications.

Moreover, funds were also sanctioned for supporting enterprises engaged in the export businesses to get registered with the ‘Export Coaching Programme’ (ECP) of the ‘Centre for the promotion of Imports from Developing Countries’ (CBI), Netherlands, which will help the Pakistani exporters to understand the international procedures to enter into the EU markets. (IANS)