I compliment the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Board (PHDEB) on their initiative to organise a National Kinnow Gala. This step would provide due exposure to the special status that Kinnow mandarin orange enjoys in the international markets and is sure to promote its exports.
The estimated 200 thousand metric tons Kinnow that were exported during the production season 2005-2006, represents more than a 100% increase over the preceding years exports and a 25% increase over the record ever highest export of 149,000 metric tons of Kinnow. This is no mean achievement.
The national agriculture policy emphasises promotion of hi-value horticultural crops and related agribusiness to be of particular importance to the objective of enhancing national and farm incomes, increasing agriculture profitability and reducing poverty level in our rural areas.
The Kinnow crop has created special opportunities for Pakistani farmers and entrepreneurs. The gains made in the recent past deserve special reorganisation for the efforts made by the MINFAL, the provincial agricultural departments, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board, the EPB and not least, our hard working farmers and enterprising businessmen. Yet there is a major potential market to gain. The PHDEB and EPB have to be more proactive in their international marketing efforts with road shows, awareness campaigns and organising gala occasions as being held today. The MINFAL and the MOC have to put in greater effort to agree on similar marketing arrangements with other potential markets, as have been agreed with China and Iran.
I may remind all concerned that the requirements emerging from the WTO regime calls for strict compliance with international quality and health safety standards. Besides, we need to introduce best agricultural practices and dedicated production for particular markets both in terms of time slots availability and specific tasters, size and colour requirements.
The national institute for bio technology and genetic engineering has some advance in achieving seedless Kinnow varieties. We need to further intensify in the areas evolving perfectly seedless fruit for which purpose the Pakistani Agricultural Research Council and the Provincial research institutes will have to make a special efforts. Our producers and processors across the value chain need to upgrade their capacities and facilities to conform with international market requirements on product quality, processing handling, health safety and value addition.
These are practical measures, given the commitment and entrepreneurship that we possess at all levels. A concerted effort both by the Government and the private sector is required. The Agribusiness Development Project launched with assistance from the Asian Development Bank would provide business development, support services and facilitate the evolution of enabling environment for agribusiness investment.
The tax relief and other support measures announced by the government over the past 2 years in support of the horticulture crop production and agro-industry development would improve the competitiveness of ours products as well as enabled better values for our agricultural products in the international markets. What is required now is to undertake joint efforts by the Government and private sector to obtain maximum benefits from the opportunities coming our way. I am confident that this can be done and foresee a positive outcomes in the not so distant future.
I congratulate all those whose efforts have been recognised with awards today.
I also comment the many others who did not receive any award but made equally significant contribution to the national effort I wish the sector all progress in the future.
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