SUPARCO and HBL Launch Satellite-Based Agri Lending

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Comission (SUPARCO) has partnered with HBL Microfinance Bank LTD to launch Pakistan’s first satellite-powered agricultural lending solution, integrating space technology into the financial sector for the first time. This landmark initiative aims to enhance climate-smart agriculture and improve access to finance for farmers.

Under the agreement, SUPARCO will provide high-resolution satellite imagery, crop health analytics, yield predictions, and creditworthiness scoring to support data-driven lending decisions. The secure API and dashboard will integrate directly with HBL MfB’s systems, eliminating manual field verification and enabling remote pre-loan assessments.

The pilot project will begin in Okara District, Punjab, one of Pakistan’s key agricultural hubs. Speaking at the signing, Zafar Iqbal, Member Space Applications and Research at SUPARCO, highlighted the milestone, stating that combining SUPARCO’s analytics with banking reach will strengthen lending processes, increase productivity, and uplift rural communities.

Following the pilot, the program will expand to include post-loan satellite monitoring, enabling early detection of crop anomalies and improving risk management. This collaboration positions SUPARCO and HBL MfB as pioneers in space-enabled agricultural finance in Pakistan.

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