Imran Saleh

CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Imran Saleh is the CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan, a company he describes as an artisanal, hand-crafted cheese maker. He says the company makes about 60 to 70 varieties of non-process, artisanal, hand-crafted cheese. He says he began with 50 litres and now produces 5,000 litres.

Early life and background

Saleh was born in Rawalpindi and settled in Lahore, where he has lived since. He says his father was not educated, and he credits his school for much of his upbringing. [1]

Saleh says going to Canada was his goal and that he achieved it. He says he left Pakistan around 1990 to 1993 and came back in 2000. He decided that he wanted to settle in Pakistan, and says he did not want to be among people who spend decades abroad and return when their children have grown. [1]

Education

Saleh attended a school and then a college. He says he did not feel able to study further after college. He describes himself as a self-taught person with no training, and says he read research abstracts and mostly used YouTube and Facebook. [1]

Career

Saleh says he learned business in Kenya. He says he delivered pizza, sold donuts and made coffee, among other jobs, and that he and others planned a pizza business to be run in partnership. He says he started a pizza business. He says the timing was wrong because of the 9/11 attacks and that he went through a serious financial crunch. [1]

Farmers Cheese Making

Saleh says he knew nothing of using milk beyond making tea. He says he began making cheese at home on a regular basis in 2010. He says cheese making was a way of making a living, not only a passion. [1]

He says he contacted a company in the United States by mistake, when he had meant to contact one in England. He says the first blog about him was written in the United States, and that the same US writer wrote seven blogs about him at once. He says his first pipe prototype failed, and that six months later he secured an order worth more than 1 million. [1]

He says he began supplying restaurants and cafes he met through a farmers market. He says he once had orders worth about one lakh rupees come together. He says that moment was the first time he realized he could turn cheese into a business. [1]

He says he has a Pakistani partner who is a French national and runs a French company, and that his partner invested in Farmers Cheese. He says he has his own field and a philosophy, and that he will not move away from it. [1]

Products and production

Saleh says the company makes its own cultures and its own cheese. He says it uses no vegetable fats, artificial colours or artificial additives, and that most of its products are made without preservatives. He says about 11 litres of milk yield roughly 1 kg of cheese. [1]

He says the company buys milk from farms it can trace, and that he visits them himself. He first bought milk on the open market before he moved to traceable farms. [1]

He says the company sold a lot of Camembert, and that it ages its cheese in a cold store. He says the company shifted towards more mature cheeses, as with Parmesan, and that shelf life causes some spoilage in the cheeses. He says the company has installed UV tunnels. [1]

He says he was an innovator in camel cheese. He says the company plans to introduce camel cheese in Saudi Arabia. [1]

Customers and recognition

Saleh says a restaurant in Peshawar is among the company's customers, and that several restaurants buy from the company. He says he has held meetings with the owners of Papa John's, and that talks with Domino's were under way. He says the company was nominated for a business award, and that Hitachi, Levi's and Microsoft were included alongside the company, which was presenting Pakistan. [1]

Plans

Saleh says the company has a timeline set for 2025 and that the benchmark is 10,000 to 20,000 litres per day. He says a large funding offer depends on reaching the benchmark, and that the company aims to begin sending its products to the Middle East within two to three years. [1]

Views

Saleh says quality always has a price. He says processed cheddar relies on a large quantity of vegetable fat. He says A2 milk is healthier than A1 milk, that the word organic is misused in Pakistan, and that adulteration is the biggest industry in the dairy sector. He says what the customer consumes is healthy probiotics and proteins. [1]

He asks why cheese should be imported when Pakistani producers exist. He says exports are Pakistan's future and that the economy cannot change without them. He says Pakistan produces property dealers more readily than innovators, and that Pakistan lacks a business atmosphere and ease of doing business. He says he does not believe in the brain drain idea, and that he expects Pakistan to have stood on its own feet. [1]

Personal life

Saleh's elder son studied at FAST University. After returning from Canada, he started a business in Pakistan with his wife's help. [1]

Timeline

1990 to 1993
Leaves Pakistan, by his own account[1]
2000
Returns to Pakistan, by his own account[1]
2010
Begins making cheese at home on a regular basis, by his own account[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2023-06-07 The self-taught cheese maker feeding Pakistan's restaurants Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Imran Saleh?

Imran Saleh is the CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan. He describes the company as an artisanal, hand-crafted cheese company. He was born in Rawalpindi and settled in Lahore.[1]

What does Imran Saleh do?

Imran Saleh is the CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan. He says the company makes about 60 to 70 varieties of cheese. He also says it makes its own cultures and its own cheese.[1]

Where is Imran Saleh from?

Imran Saleh was born in Rawalpindi. He settled in Lahore and has lived there since.[1]

Where did Imran Saleh study?

Imran Saleh attended a school and then a college. He says he did not feel able to study further after college. He describes himself as a self-taught person with no training.[1]

How did Imran Saleh learn to make cheese?

Imran Saleh says he knew nothing of using milk beyond making tea. He says he read research abstracts and mostly used YouTube and Facebook. He says he began making cheese at home on a regular basis in 2010.[1]

What are Imran Saleh's plans for Farmers Cheese Making?

Imran Saleh says the company has a timeline set for 2025 and that the benchmark is 10,000 to 20,000 litres per day. He says a large funding offer depends on reaching the benchmark. He says the company aims to begin sending its products to the Middle East within two to three years.[1]

What does Imran Saleh say about exports?

Imran Saleh says exports are Pakistan's future and that the economy cannot change without them. He asks why cheese should be imported when Pakistani producers exist.[1]

References

  1. The self-taught cheese maker feeding Pakistan's restaurants . Thought Behind Things , 2023-06-07.
Show the source passages (75 statements)
  1. Imran Saleh is the CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan. Imran Saleh is the CEO of Farmers Cheese Making Pakistan.
  2. He describes Farmers Cheese Making as an artisanal, hand-crafted cheese company. Farmer's Cheese Making actually ek artisanal hand-crafted cheese making limited company.
  3. He says the company makes about 60 to 70 varieties of non-process, artisanal, hand-crafted cheese. Hum log taqreeban 60 to 70 varieties of non-process artisanal hand-crafted
  4. He says the company makes its own cultures and its own cheese. Baaki jo uske cultures hain, hum log khud produce karte hain aur jo cheese hai, woh bhi hum log khud produce karte hain.
  5. He says the company uses no vegetable fats, artificial colours or artificial additives. we don't use no vegetable fats, no artificial colors, no artificial additives
  6. He says the company buys milk from farms it can trace, and that he visits them himself. Ab hum un farms se lete hain jahan par humein ek traceability hoti hai, jiska main khud jaake dekhta hoon
  7. He first bought milk on the open market before he moved to traceable farms. Initially jab maine shuru kiya na, toh main open market se leta tha.
  8. He says he began making cheese at home on a regular basis in 2010. 2010 mein main baqaida gharelu satah par cheese bana raha tha.
  9. After returning from Canada, he started a business in Pakistan with his wife's help. Canada se aane ke baad, haan, maine yahan par apna business start kiya, apni wife ki help se
  10. He was born in Rawalpindi. Meri paidaish Rawalpindi ki hai.
  11. He settled in Lahore and has lived there since. main Lahore mein settle ho gaya aur ab tak main Lahore mein hoon.
  12. He attended a school before college. Main ne Saint Mary's Cambridge School, Murree Road ke upar.
  13. He then attended a college. Aur wahan se phir main Asghar Mall College.
  14. He says he did not feel able to study further after college. uske baad himmat jawab de gayi, mazeed padhne ki himmat nahi hui.
  15. He describes himself as a self-taught person with no training. a self taught person no education no training nothing
  16. He says he read research abstracts. maine abstracts padh dale
  17. He credits his school for much of his upbringing. meri grooming mein jo bahut zyada haath hai, woh mere school ka hai
  18. He says his father was not educated. Aur mere walid sahab ek anpadh aadmi the.
  19. His elder son studied at FAST University. Mera bada beta jo hai, usne FAST University se, he is a bronze medalist.
  20. He says going to Canada was his goal and that he achieved it. It was my target, mera goal ke main Canada jaoon. I did it.
  21. He says he left Pakistan around 1990 to 1993. Main taqreeban koi 90 to 93 mein chala gaya tha bahar.
  22. He says he came back to Pakistan in 2000. I came back in 2000 actually.
  23. He says he learned business in Kenya. Business seekha hai Kenya se.
  24. He says he delivered pizza, sold donuts and made coffee, among other jobs. pizza bhi deliver kiye aur aur jobs bhi ki, donuts bhi beche, coffee bhi banaye
  25. He says he and others planned a pizza business to be run in partnership. we were planning to start our a new business of pizza jo ke hum partnership mein run karenge.
  26. He decided that he wanted to settle in Pakistan. Toh maine phir faisla yeh kiya ke mujhe Pakistan mein settle hona hai.
  27. He says he did not want to be among people who spend decades abroad and return when their children have grown. Main agar is tarah karta raha toh un logon mein rahunga jo 10-10, 20-20 saal bahar rehte hain, wapas aate hain, bachche jawan ho chuke hote hain.
  28. He says he started a pizza business. wahan par maine ek pizza Black Olive ke naam se shuru kiya
  29. He says the timing was wrong because of the 9/11 attacks and that he went through a serious financial crunch. it was not the right time, 9/11 ho gaya. Hmm. Aur main badi financial crunch se guzra.
  30. He says he knew nothing of using milk beyond making tea. Ab mujhe chai banane ke alawa doodh ka istemal nahi pata tha
  31. He says he mostly used YouTube and Facebook. Main zyada tar toh main YouTube aur Facebook hi istemal kar raha tha.
  32. He says he contacted a company in the United States by mistake, when he had meant to contact one in England. galti se woh England ki bajaye main New England Cheese Making and Supplies jo USA mein company hai usko kar baitha
  33. He says the first blog about him was written in the United States. that was my first blog written in USA
  34. He says the same US writer wrote seven blogs about him at once. usne ek sath mein mere upar 7 blog likhe
  35. He says his first pipe prototype failed. maine ek chota sa model banaya us par pehla pipe banaya acha aur woh totally fail ho gaya
  36. He says that six months later he secured an order worth more than 1 million. maine usi mein 6 mahine baad 1 million se upar ka order pakda
  37. He says he began supplying restaurants and cafes he met through a farmers market. main kuch restaurants cafes ko dena shuru ho gaya tha us farmer market se
  38. He says he once had orders worth about one lakh rupees come together. mere paas us waqt koi 1 lakh rupaye ke order ikathe ho gaye
  39. He says that moment was the first time he realized he could turn cheese into a business. that was the first time I realized ke I can turn this into a business and I will turn it into a business
  40. He says cheese making was a way of making a living, not only a passion. it was not my passion right it was the way of making a living right
  41. He says he has a Pakistani partner who is a French national and runs a French company. ek Pakistani mera partner hai French national hai French company run karta hai
  42. He says his partner invested in Farmers Cheese. usne farmer cheese mein investment ki
  43. He says he was an innovator in camel cheese. camel cheese ka innovator tha
  44. He says the company plans to introduce camel cheese in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arab mein hum chaah rahe hain ke camel cheese ko introduce karein
  45. He says the company sold a lot of Camembert. We were selling, we had sell a lot of Camembert
  46. He says the company ages its cheese in a cold store. Us cold store mein iski aging hoti hai
  47. He says the company shifted towards more mature cheeses, as with Parmesan. Toh humne use cut down karne ke liye kya kiya? Parmesan jaise aap gaye. Humne zyada mature ki taraf apna tilt rakha.
  48. He says shelf life causes some spoilage in the cheeses. toh shelf life ki wajah se in mein kharabi bhi aati hai
  49. He says most of the company's products are made without preservatives. Ab hamari products kyunke without preservatives hoti hain, most of them.
  50. He says a restaurant in Peshawar is among the company's customers. kuch restaurants toh aise hain, Peshawar mein main agar naam, main le sakta hoon naam isliye ke woh achay log hain, logon ko pata hona chahiye maine kya khana hai, Jan Daily waale.
  51. He says several restaurants buy from the company. Isi tarah Parentry House hai aur bahut saare hain, Mandrin Kitchen hai, yeh saare humse cheez le rahe hain
  52. He says about 11 litres of milk yield roughly 1 kg of cheese. Toh out of 11 liters you are getting 1 kg of cheese.
  53. He says quality always has a price. Quality always have a price
  54. He says processed cheddar relies on a large quantity of vegetable fat. Kyunke process ke saath khusoosan cheddar ke saath problem yeh hai ke ismein vegetable fat ki bahut badi quantity istemal hoti hai.
  55. He asks why cheese should be imported when Pakistani producers exist. imported toh main toh kehta hoon why imported when we are there?
  56. He says exports are Pakistan's future and that the economy cannot change without them. export Pakistan ka future hai agar aap export par nahi jayenge aap economy change nahi kar sakte hain
  57. He says Pakistan produces property dealers more readily than innovators. Hum Steve Jobs nahi paida karte. Hum Elon Musk paida nahi karte. Hum property dealer paida karna pasand karte hain.
  58. He says Pakistan lacks a business atmosphere and ease of doing business. business atmosphere nahi hai, ease of business nahi hai
  59. He says he does not believe in the brain drain idea. I don't trust in that, I don't believe that.
  60. He says he expects Pakistan to have stood on its own feet. Pakistan apne paon pe khada ho chuka hoga
  61. He says he began with 50 litres and now produces 5,000 litres. Main bech raha tha 50 liter se shuru kiya. Theek hai, aaj main 5000 liter kar raha hoon
  62. He says the company has a timeline set for 2025. humne ek timeline set ki hui hai ah 2025 ki
  63. He says the benchmark is 10,000 to 20,000 litres per day. Ke suppose 10 or 20,000 liters per day
  64. He says a large funding offer depends on reaching the benchmark. hum ek badi ah funding ki offer aayi hui hai, ke agar aap yeh benchmark complete karenge, we will be there
  65. He says the company aims to begin sending its products to the Middle East within two to three years. between two to three years hamari koshish hogi hum Middle East idhar udhar apni cheez bhejna shuru kar dein
  66. He says A2 milk is healthier than A1 milk. A2 healthy hain. A1 is not very healthy.
  67. He says the word organic is misused in Pakistan. Organic Pakistan mein ek nihayat misused word hai.
  68. He says adulteration is the biggest industry in the dairy sector. adulteration is the biggest industry in dairy sector
  69. He says what the customer consumes is healthy probiotics and proteins. what customer is consuming is healthy probiotics, proteins
  70. He says the company has installed UV tunnels. Humne UV ke lagaye hue hain tunnels.
  71. He says he has his own field and a philosophy, and that he will not move away from it. Meri apni ek field hai, mera philosophy hai, main wahan se nahi hatunga.
  72. He says he has held meetings with the owners of Papa John's. Papa John ke saath meri unke malqan ke saath meetings bhi rahi hain
  73. He says talks with Domino's were under way. abhi peeche Domino's ke saath bhi hamari baat cheet chal rahi thi
  74. He says the company was nominated for a business award. Boldness in Business Award ki taraf se humein us award ke liye nominate kiya gaya
  75. He says Hitachi, Levi's and Microsoft were included alongside the company, which was presenting Pakistan. Usme Hitachi, Levi's, Microsoft and we were presenting Pakistan.