Latest news with #TheExpressTribunePodcast
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
‘Seed-to-table' model cultivates food security, local empowerment
In a recent episode of The Express Tribune Podcast, Hasan Sarwat, Chief Operating Officer of National Foods Limited (NFL), shared the story behind the company's pioneering Seed-to-Table initiative — a locally driven program that is already yielding measurable success in boosting agricultural productivity and reducing import dependency. Launched in mid-2023, seed-to-table focuses on strengthening the agricultural value chain by partnering directly with farmers, deploying high-quality inputs, and building resilience through traceability and guaranteed pricing. The model's pilot focused on tomato production across 500 acres in Sindh — a crop where official reports had projected a maximum of 8,000 tonnes of tomatoes per acre due to climate stress and inconsistent practices. But NFL's intervention reversed that trend. 'Despite what the data was showing about declining yields, we saw a significant improvement in output — around 35,000 tonnes of tomatoes harvested from the pilot plots,' said Sarwat. 'This wasn't accidental. We hyper-focused on every variable — from seed selection to soil health to timely harvests.' Key to this success was the use of premium seed varieties provided through NFL's partnership with agri-tech firm Syngenta, along with remote field monitoring via Farmdar. Farmers were incentivised with a guaranteed purchase price, giving them confidence to invest in better inputs and practices. 'When you take away uncertainty and replace it with trust and fair compensation, farmers thrive — and so does the food system,' Sarwat explained. The result was not only higher yields, but also improved quality and a $2 million reduction in imported tomato paste needs. NFL now plans to replicate the model for red chilies and other ingredients, potentially substituting $10 million annually in raw material imports. 'Seed-to-table is about building a self-sufficient ecosystem. It's not just good for business — it's good for the country,' Sarwat concluded.
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Over Rs300b lost annually to illicit cigarette trade
Listen to article In a recent episode of The Express Tribune Podcast, in collaboration with #BehtareenPakistan, experts warned that Pakistan loses more than Rs300 billion annually due to the unchecked trade of illicit cigarettes. The conversation highlighted how tax evasion, weak enforcement of the Track and Trace system, and regulatory loopholes are crippling both public revenue and health safeguards. Speaking on the podcast, CEO of the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR), Junaid Iqbal, said, 'This is not just a health issue—it's an economic crisis. When more than 40% of the cigarette market goes untaxed, the state loses the ability to fund vital services. Smugglers are filling the gap while legitimate businesses suffer.' Panelists revealed that illegal cigarette manufacturers are exploiting the system by avoiding the Federal Excise Duty and producing below the legal price threshold. These untaxed products are then sold cheaply, undercutting lawful manufacturers and contributing to a shadow economy that thrives on regulatory inaction. The podcast also explored the broader impacts of the illicit trade. Experts emphasised that this is not simply a revenue issue—it also has dire implications for public health. Consumers of illegal cigarettes are often exposed to unregulated, potentially more harmful products. In response to these challenges, the panel advocated for the urgent implementation of a fully functional track-and-trace system to digitally monitor cigarette production and distribution. They also called for tougher penalties for violators and more transparent oversight by tax authorities. Iqbal stressed, 'There needs to be a serious political will to act. The solution is not just about enforcement—it's about protecting Pakistan's economy from systemic exploitation.' The podcast concluded with a consensus that only a coordinated approach—combining technology, regulation, and awareness—can dismantle the illegal trade and reclaim lost revenue for the nation.
