PepsiCo Pakistan hosted a thought leadership event, “Seeds to Smiles,” highlighting its collaborative initiatives to support local farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. The event brought together various stakeholders, includingdevelopment sector and industry experts, and PepsiCo leaders Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo for Africa, Middle East & South Asia (AMESA) as well as International Beverages and Mohammad Khosa, CEO of PepsiCo Pakistan.
The company emphasized its initiatives to improve food security and nutrition in rural households through programs like She Feeds the World (SFtW), which has positively impacted 173,000 community members. In collaboration with CARE International, the program aims to support women farmers by providing sustainable agriculture trainings, facilitating access to inputs and capital, and health interventions.
PepsiCo Pakistan has also invested in a Tissue Culture Lab to produce high-quality potato varieties, contributing to local agricultural development and enabling the company to localize its seed supply chain. Beyond this, PepsiCo Pakistan is actively engaged in capacity building for farmers. 50,000 farming families across 35,000+ acres of land have been trained in modern agricultural practices, including the use of precision planters and impact recording devices. These efforts are aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing environmental impact, and building resilience against climate change.
Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo AMESA, and Mohammad Khosa, CEO of PepsiCo Pakistan & Afghanistan, expressed their optimism about the future of agriculture in Pakistan and reiterated PepsiCo’s commitment to supporting the country’s food systems security. They emphasized the importance of localizing supply chains, engaging with farmers directly, and providing them with market access and capacity building opportunities.
Adil Sheraz, Country Director of Care International, highlighted the impact of women-centric programming in promoting gender equality and resilience in rural communities. He delved into learnings and takeaways garnered from efforts under the She Feeds the World program to empower women farmers and improve their livelihoods.
The event also featured a digital exhibit showcasing PepsiCo’s initiatives in sustainable agriculture and an interactive afforestation drive. Overall, “Seeds to Smiles” demonstrated PepsiCo Pakistan’s vision of promoting a brighter future for agriculture in the country.
