Government Launches Zarkhez-E Platform to Boost Farm Financing

From fields to phones, Zarkhez-E goes live—bringing loans, inputs, and advice together to help farmers grow more than just crops.

Read more: $60M IFC Facility Boosts Pakistan’s Agriculture

The Finance Division, in partnership with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), has launched Zarkhez-E, a digital platform designed to widen access to agricultural financing for farmers nationwide. The initiative aims to simplify credit access while pairing financing with inputs and advisory support.

Through the Zarkhez-E application, farmers can apply digitally for loans of up to Rs1 million. After verification and agronomic assessments, applications are routed to the farmer’s chosen bank for processing. Once approved, 75% of the financing will be provided in kind to purchase agricultural inputs from banks’ pre-approved vendors, ensuring funds are used productively.

Beyond credit, the platform offers agri-advisory services via the Land Information Management System, supporting informed crop planning and improved yields. Authorities said this integrated model links formal finance with quality inputs and data-driven guidance.

To encourage lending to small farmers, the government has introduced a 10% first-loss coverage and an operational subsidy of Rs10,000 per borrower for any net increase in agricultural borrowers. The incentives are intended to lower risk and expand outreach to underserved segments.

Officials said the initiative supports financial inclusion, rural development, and food security. The Zarkhez-E app is available on Google Play, with bank branches offering onboarding assistance.