'Steps underway to enhance mango exports'

MULTAN: The Punjab government's five years programme to increase mango exports, bringing it to almost double, was heading forward successfully by engaging thousands of growers in the region.

Pakistan used to exports about seven per cents of its total production and efforts were under way to enhance exports and earn handsome foreign exchange, this was stated by in-charge Mango Research Station Shujabad Dr Abdul Ghaffar Garewal while taking to APP.

Pakistani mangoes were popular across the globe due to its particular taste, aroma and shape, he said and added that the Punjab government introduced five years programme namely "Establishment of Model Farm linked with Improved post harvest Technology". The aim of the programme was to create the maximum awareness about mango orchards management for obtaining bumper and quality mangoes, Abdul Ghaffar added.

The farmers were being guided to care their orchards as per  international standards and these initiatives could help find more markets across the world, he said.

Under the programme, about 200 groups of farmers, each comprising 25 to 30 members, were made in district Multan which were given infrastructure, including pruner, height harvesting pickers, besides other articles. The members of a group

would be joint owner of infrastructure and they could use the machinery in consultation with one another. Similarly, the government also extended financial assistance for improvement of mango orchards.

The in charge Mango Research Station said that the project was facilitating mango growers at grassroots level.

Abdul Ghaffar said that Multan was at top in mangoes cultivation where orchards were located over 31,000 hectares in the district. However, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal were at the second, third and fourth position with cultivation area 26,000, 19,000 and 14,000 hectares, respectively.