Pakistani agritech founders, supply chain managers, and corporate executives now have access to specialized institutional training focused on sustainable farming practices. Nestlé Pakistan, the LUMS Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC), and the Syed Babar Ali Foundation have launched a multi-year training and certification program to advance regenerative agriculture leadership in Pakistan. The initiative addresses growing climate risks and crop productivity challenges by training professionals to implement scalable field techniques and modern farm economics.

Executive Training to Drive Regenerative Agriculture Leadership

The multi-year initiative, titled "Regenerative Agriculture: Leading the Nestlé Way," brings structured academic instruction and field execution into Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Jointly established by LUMS REDC, Nestlé Pakistan, and the Syed Babar Ali Foundation, the certification aims to build a network of informed practitioners across the country. The program focuses on protecting natural resources while building resilient food systems and improving farm prosperity.

Syed Babar Ali noted that addressing agricultural challenges requires preparing a new generation of leaders who can pass knowledge down to future generations. Dr. Tariq M. Jadoon, Provost at LUMS, explained that the curriculum bridges scientific understanding, commercial considerations, and real-world field application to treat farming as an interconnected system. The effort connects with wider national discussions around sustainable farming innovations in Pakistan.

Program Format, Session Schedules, and Cohort Limits

Designed for working professionals and researchers, the certification uses a compact, intensive layout that balances academic modules with practical application. All classroom activities will take place at the Rausing Executive Development Centre at LUMS in Lahore.

  • Program duration: Four days per cohort, comprising three days of classroom instruction at LUMS REDC and one day of field experience.
  • Annual frequency: Two separate cohorts will run every year.
  • Batch capacity: Exactly 25 participants will be enrolled per cohort to ensure focused discussions and interactive learning.
  • Multi-year commitment: The project is structured as a continuous yearly program to maintain a steady output of certified leaders.

Core Curriculum Covering Precision Irrigation and Farm Economics

Participants in each cohort will study scientific principles, practical tools, and economic models needed to upgrade traditional farming practices. The curriculum encourages agripreneurship and adoption of technological solutions, similar to advancements seen in modern agricultural tech and drone applications.

The central pillars of the training program include:

  • Soil Health and Crop Nutrition: Methods to restore soil vitality, manage organic inputs, and maximize crop output.
  • Water Stewardship: Implementation of precision irrigation techniques to reduce water waste and protect local aquifers.
  • Energy Efficiency and Emissions: Operational adjustments to minimize fuel reliance, lower field emissions, and optimize energy output.
  • Farm Economics and Innovation: Analytical tools for examining the cost structure, financial return, and scalability of sustainable farming operations.

Nestlé’s Corporate Targets and Local Sourcing Interventions

The program supports Nestlé Pakistan’s operational goals across its local supply networks. Jason Avanceña, CEO and Managing Director of Nestlé Pakistan, stated that the certification will help build an advocate network to keep Pakistan competitive with leading agricultural economies while creating shared value throughout the supply chain.

Nestlé Pakistan has already deployed field-level interventions across its agricultural value chain:

  • Active farmer support: Around 150 local farmers currently benefit from company interventions covering roughly 9,330 acres of land.
  • 2030 sourcing target: The company aims to obtain 50% of its key ingredients from farms using regenerative techniques by 2030.
  • 2050 emissions ambition: Nestlé has set a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire operation by 2050.

This initiative builds upon Nestlé’s previous sustainability projects in the country, including Nestlé Pakistan's urban forest initiative.

Key Questions for Applicants and Industry Professionals

Who is eligible to participate in this executive program?

The course is designed for corporate managers, agricultural executives, agritech founders, policy advisors, and academic researchers seeking field-tested frameworks for sustainable farming systems.

Where are the training sessions held?

Classroom learning takes place over three days at the LUMS Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC) in Lahore, followed by one full day of practical field exposure at designated agricultural sites.

What does this mean for Pakistan’s agritech ecosystem?

By training 50 specialized professionals every year, the initiative injects corporate-grade expertise into the local market. It connects enterprise procurement standards with field-level execution, providing agritech startups and researchers a direct channel to align their software, precision tools, and biological solutions with major industrial supply chains.

Source: Startup Pakistan