{
  "id": 11453527,
  "title": "Al-Ghazi Tractors Champions Smarter Mechanization at Agri-Connections 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/al-ghazi-tractors-champions-smarter-mechanization-at-agri-connections",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T13:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/02/al-ghazi-tractors-champions-smarter-mechanization-at-agri-connections-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (AGTL), a prominent agricultural machinery manufacturer in Pakistan, acted as the Platinum Sponsor for the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition’s (PAC) Agri-Connections Conference & Expo 2026. The two-day event, held on October 1 and 2 at the Lahore Expo Centre in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, focused on the theme “Food Security and Agri-Investment in the Era of Climate Change.” The World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) served as strategic partners, bringing together key stakeholders from the agricultural, investment, and technological sectors. AGTL’s CEO, Yasin Seker, emphasized the need for smarter, more accessible farm mechanization to address Pakistan’s food security challenges, which include low crop yields, rising demand, increasing input costs, and the adverse effects of erratic weather patterns. AGTL highlighted its manufacturing legacy since 1983 at the Dera Ghazi Khan plant and outlined how the company contributes beyond just tractor sales by promoting localization, supplier development, skills transfer, and a nationwide service network. Seker underscored the shift in farmers' needs from basic horsepower at affordable prices to higher expectations for productivity, uptime, efficient input use, and comprehensive machine support throughout their lifespan. He discussed two key technological directions: telematics for real-time machine monitoring and predictive maintenance, and precision guidance systems to enhance accuracy in applying seed, fertilizer, and chemicals, reducing overlap and ensuring consistent results regardless of operator experience. Seker stressed that technology adoption must be practical and farmer-centric, starting with enhancing basic mechanization and service, piloting valuable applications, demonstrating economic viability on the ground, developing dealer and service capabilities, and scaling only what proves beneficial for farmers. He argued that technology should follow value, ensuring that any innovation delivers tangible benefits to productivity and food security. On Day 2, Seker participated in a high-level panel discussion on “The Future of Technology in Agriculture,” advocating for Pakistan to transition from conventional tractorization to an integrated ecosystem of machinery, precision technology, digital tools, and improved farmer access. The agriculture sector remains a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy, but the decline in tractor production and sales indicates challenges related to affordability, financing, and accessibility, particularly for small farms. AGTL advocated for custom hiring, machinery rental, leasing, and mechanization-as-a-service models to make modern equipment affordable for smallholder farmers who cannot afford to purchase every machine outright. Both days emphasized the necessity of a collaborative approach, where farmers, manufacturers, dealers, government, financiers, technology providers, and development institutions must work together to make advanced agricultural technology affordable, accessible, and beneficial for smallholder farmers. AGTL showcased its New Holland tractors at the expo, reinforcing its commitment to the PAC’s agenda of fostering a more productive, technology-driven, and competitive agriculture sector in Pakistan.",
  "summary": "Al-Ghazi Tractors Limited (AGTL), one of Pakistan’s leading agricultural machinery manufacturers, served as Platinum Sponsor of the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition’s … Read More The post Al-Ghazi Tractors Champions Smarter Mechanization at Agri-Connections 2026 appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}