Propagating Regenerative Agriculture, Sustainable Value-added Supply Chain of Natural, Organic, Healthy Produces and Culture of Urban Farming as an engine to economic growth.
Propagating Regenerative Agriculture, Sustainable Value-added Supply Chain of Natural, Organic, Healthy Produces and Culture of Urban Farming as an engine to economic growth.
Muhammad Nadeem Iqbal
Passionate, Innovative & Intuitive
Specialized Expertise; Herbal Integrated Farming; with core competency in Stevia Farming and Sustainable Value-added Supply Chain Development of Natural & Organic products including; Herbal Health Supplements.
Pioneer Grower of
Stevia, Medicinal
& Culinary Herbs
in Pakistan since 2008
My Organic Philosophy
From Soil to Soul – Healthy Life, driven by the belief that only healthy soil can produce wholesome foods for a happy and prosperous life, that is guided by the wisdom of my farming roots.
To me, ‘organic’ is not just only confined to the food or farming but organic is all about ‘purity of heart, mind and soul’.
I strongly believe in an “Organic Approach” for the well-being of our planet earth, mother nature, and its habitants.
My Vision & Mission
To be catalyst in creating a Sustainable Future for the planet earth and its inhabitants by improving health from soil & soul, malnutrition, and alleviating quality of life, by creating sustainable value chains, resulting in bringing healthy, peaceful and prosperous individuals, communities and nations.
To educate farmers to adopt “Regenerative Agriculture” practices and bring increase in production of natural and organic food in rural, peri-urban and urban settings with rural-urban interface, while strengthening relationships between agricultural communities, customers, companies and brands.
My Life’s Determination
“Connecting the Disconnected”
- To build “Human-Nature Connection” for the well-being of our planet and the spirit of healthy organic living.
- To be part of bringing the purity of nature back to into our lives; to connect us to one another, to nature itself and to our roots.
- To create better world for our generations to grow up in a world that’s natural, healthy and peaceful.
- To work towards Industrial growth of Natural & Organic Foods and other related products.
- To promote healthy culture of ‘Urban Farming’ as an engine to the economic prosperity.
- To produce and assist in producing anything and everything that is natural, healthy and pure.
- To work towards “Environmental Sustainability”
My Love Story with Stevia
My relationship with Stevia begins in 2008. Stevia was arrived from its native land to get itself adopted to entirely a new harsh environment that was not all easy for this newly arrived plant. The ‘sweet’ little plant needs lots of care and love, just like a newly arrived baby.
From here onwards both, stevia and myself went through many ups and downs of life but somehow, we covered the journey till date. I cared ‘sweet’ baby like a mother and today, its settled and adopted to its new climatic region.
Today, I am genuinely in love with this ‘sweet leaf’ and proud to see it prospering in Pakistan.
I am further taking this ‘sweet’ little baby to other lands, where it can be flourished further for the benefit of many, especially those suffering from diabetes.
45 years of experience in diversified industrial and business sectors;
From Agriculture to International Shipping and from Food Production to Catering. From Merchandising, Marketing to Sustainable Supply Chain Development and From Media, advertising to Development Sector.
Key Competency
Wealth of ‘hands-on’ experience within the natural and organic farming and food sectors; With deep understanding of “Farm to Table” operations, encompass everything from raising natural organic crops, poultry, livestock to processing and packaging to developing value-added supply chain including branding, marketing, sales and distribution.
What I do?
Build multi-sectoral partnerships and networks, between corporate and public sectors, governments, public health departments, not-for-profit organizations, and the volunteer sector to develop the infrastructure needed to achieve “sustainable healthy food systems”.
Why I am doing it?
I want our children and grandchildren to grow up happy and healthy in a world that's worth living in. That's why I have always been dedicated to sustainability - protecting nature, truly caring more about the environment and keeping our farmlands rich and nutritious for the future.
Highlights of My Projects
I have always found it impossible to draw a line between my work and me. Everything I do is a part of who I am. In order to keep myself alive I have to constantly evolve.
My multifaceted and multidimensional skills not only add value to brands but also have far reaching impact on the development of overall market of natural and organic products.
My on-the-field research and knowledge exchange activity enables the transition to naturally healthy and resilient farming systems. I build evidence and understanding of the positive impact of organic and agroecological farming, and practical information to help farmers and growers do it better.
I am guided by developments in natural and organic agriculture and food marketplace and focus on challenges related to food and nutrition, the environment and land use, facing the world of agriculture and agronomics today. Challenges such as climate change, human nutrition, competition between food and non-food crops, the exhaustion of fossil resources and appropriate land management put agronomists in a position to generate compatible economic, social and environmental development”.
A Journey to the World of Natural & Organic Agriculture
I believe in a very strong link between healthy soil, healthy plants, healthy food and healthy people.
I see my little world that I move and breath within reflected in the entire world. Everything that happens in the world outside me is moving within me and I am moving with everything that is happening within the world”.
Established Pakistan’s First
Organic Research Farm
The beginning of Organic Era in Pakistan
Chak Shahzad, Islamabad: 2006 - 2012
VEGEGARDEN was an innovative research farm that has been at the forefront of the organic permaculture and horticulture that was dedicated to researching and promoting “Organic Urban Agriculture” with emphasis on home and community Vegetable, Herbs, Fruits, Goats, and Poultry farming.
The idea of VEGEGARDEN was conceived, planted and nourished by Muhammad Nadeem Iqbal who believes that food is central to human well-being and one of the best ways of uniting people of different communities and cultures around a common, positive agenda.
Established Pakistan’s First
Organic Stevia Farm
The beginning of Era of Stevia Cultivation
in Pakistan: 2008
Established Pakistan’s First Stevia Farm integrated with other Medicinal & Culinary Herbs. Initially built on 2 acres of natural virgin organic land located at the foothills of Himalayas and further extended the facility on 10 acres.
The farm facility was purpose build to grow medicinal herbs in 100% natural setting without the use any fertilizers and pesticides is purely an outcome of passion and love for the sweet leaf.
Established Pakistan’s First
Integrated Organic Farm
The beginning of Organic Integration in Pakistan: 2008
National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Chak Shahzad, Islamabad
Based on Innovative concept & design.
This organic farm is aligned; passion with strategy, collaboration and process, to best achieve sustainable, accelerated growth with greater fulfilment for everyone involved.
The farm is a combination of on-field Research Facility, a Nature Preserve, and a Recreation and Educational Place for families.
Innovative Solution to Waste-water Treatment for Agriculture (BIOREMEDIATION)
Pakistan Agriculture Research Centre: 2008 - 2011
Bioremediation is the centuries old process that is re-invented and is considered the latest development in waste water management strategies. The technique involves the use of organism to eliminate of neutralize pollutants from s contaminated site.
The pilot project was designed and executed at National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad as part of the “development of organic agriculture project”. The project was designed and executed with the use of living organisms, like microbes and bacteria to remove contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from sewage water and to turn into a healthy irrigation water for agriculture.
Served as an Advisor on Organic Agriculture (2008 - 2012)
Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC)
National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC)
My innovative and pioneering work on sustainable agriculture and urban farming, acknowledged by the Pakistan’s premier agriculture research institute; PARC/NARC that was led by renowned agriculture practitioner Dr. Zafar Altaf as the Chairman PARC.
That was an era when the pioneering work on organic agriculture took place at National Agriculture Research Centre. During this period successfully grown multiple organic crops including wheat with record output.
Development Sector
2002 – 2010
Being founding Executive Director of Mir Khalil Ur Rahman Foundation (MKRF), a social sector arm of Pakistan’s largest media house Jang Group / Geo Television Network; besides managing record setting fundraising campaigns for South East Asia Tsunami 2004, Earthquake 2005, Physically Displaced Persons 2008, Floods 2010, also formed joint venture with Microsoft for vocational education in Pakistan.
Record-making launch of Confectionary & Snacks Brand “KIMS”
1999 - 2002
KIMS brand is owned by Silver Lake Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Hattar, Pakistan.
As a marketing and brand consultant; designed and executed successful brand building, marketing, sales strategies/plans and established national level distribution network.
The brand achieved market leadership role in biscuits (Ticky Pack Range) and chocolates categories beating its years old established brands in the market. Still KIMS enjoys its market domination.
Resident Director
KARGAR Communications (Pvt) Ltd.
1986 – 1988
Handled successful advertising campaigns including designing of marketing strategies for “Rose Petal Tissues” and “FROST Juices & Milk Pak” both are brands of Packages Limited.
Afterwards the Milk Pak was taken over by Nestle, whereas Rose Petal is still owned by Packages Limited and a leading brand of Tissue papers in Pakistan.
Established Foodstuff Trading Operation in Dubai, U.A.E
1995 - 1998
Product Development and Sourcing from established Supply Chains of multiple food items across multiple countries.
Also established Marketing, Sales and Distribution across U.A.E., with exports to other GCC countries.
Re-invented Food Catering business: Lahore, Pakistan
1986 - 1994
By giving innovative new style to the years old traditional way of catering.
This includes; 5 Star Outdoor Catering, plus established number of successful restaurants and Bakeries.
Marco Polo, Ghazal, The Pastry Shop, Mabaker and Xinhua Chinese Restaurant are some of the projects.
International Fertiliser Trading
1982 - 1986
From 1982 to 1986, I represented A.B Sukab, a Swedish company, in their barter trade dealings with Pakistan. Additionally, during this time period, I also worked for Agrico & Phoschem USA, a company that specializes in the agricultural and chemical sectors.
Specifically, I was responsible for representing the interests of both A.B Sukab and Agrico & Phoschem USA in the Pakistani market through barter trade and other business dealings.
International Shipping & Freight Forwarding
1980 - 1986 Worked in the international shipping and freight forwarding industry from 1980 to 1986, I had the opportunity to handle bulk shipments of wheat while representing Karl Gross, a German company that has been a leader in the industry since 1876. Karl Gross is a reputable and experienced company in the field of international shipping, and I had the opportunity to work with them and contribute to their ongoing success in the handling and transportation of Bulk wheat and other cargo in Pakistan.
Innovative Research
15 years of in-depth research on Organic Farming Patterns Analysis based on Clustering Methods; to identify viable solutions for organising organic producers’ groups and supply chains at county level.
My research aim was to evaluate which is the best networking solution for organic farmers in Pakistan. This statistical approach was based on multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering methods.
Research work also includes the market size, growth and potential of Organic Products within Pakistan, Middle East Gulf, North Africa and Europe.
Research encompasses; from interdisciplinary, to multidisciplinary research and innovation in emerging fields of agriculture and healthy foods. This includes; Theoretical, Exploratory, Explanatory, Qualitative, Quantitative, Primary, Secondary research, to Field researches.
Consultant/Advisor to
Lucky Snacks (Pvt) Ltd., Bahawalpur Pakistan
2012 – Till Date
Lucky Snacks are manufacturers of confectionery items and the brand is quite well established all across Pakistan, catering to middle and lower-middle end of market segments.
“Opening the door to my; Heart, Mind & Soul”
I call myself ‘a man of the earth’. I realised at my early age that food and farming is my future. I started farming on my own, with no knowledge, experience and funds to support, just a ton of passion – the one thing which provided me with the inspiration and motivation needed to become an ‘innovative risk-taking farmer’.
If one thing could be said about Me, it would be that I see the world through a filter which picks up only the “interesting” in anything.
I live to find the passion hidden in even total trivia. Refusing to budge an inch unless inspired, and a complete dynamo the moment I feel the familiar glow of being able to see the “play” in the work.
“I hope you believe, as I do, in the inexhaustible ability of human beings to find answers to problems, to create works of beauty and originality, and to craft vital new ideas inspired by those who’ve gone before. The possible is constantly being redefined, and I care deeply about helping humanity move forward. To me, there’s nothing more gratifying than that”
