Two leading organisations, National Foods Limited and Lucky Core Industries Limited, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27th April to collaborate on tomato seed development and research. The Collaboration aims to localise the production of tomatoes in Pakistan, particularly to produce tomato paste, and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at National Foods Head Office and was attended by top leadership from both organisations. The two organisations will share expertise, knowledge, and resources to achieve the project’s objectives as part of the collaboration.
On the occasion, Abrar Hasan, CEO of National Foods, said, “We believe that this partnership is a significant step towards creating a sustainable value chain for tomato paste production in Pakistan. By minimizing imports and developing local capacity, we aim to benefit the farmers and boost the country’s economy.”
Arshaduddin Ahmed, Vice president of Lucky Core Industries’ Chemicals & Agri Sciences business, added, “This collaboration aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s vision of strengthening the Agricultural sector through import substitution and self-reliance. Moreover, this project focuses on technology transfer and developing high-performing quality hybrid seeds in Pakistan.”
The tomato seed development and research project is expected to positively impact Pakistan’s agriculture sector by reducing import bills and improving the quality of locally produced tomatoes. The collaboration between the two organizations is expected to result in enabling the production of paste-quality tomatoes that meet global standards.
This collaboration is a testament to both organisations’ commitment towards developing local capacity and their belief in the potential of Pakistan’s agriculture sector. With this MoU, National Foods Limited and Lucky Core Industries Limited have set an example of how strategic collaborations for localization can sustain industry operations while benefiting the economy and society.