With the utmost efforts in maintaining quality export of fruits to the world, Pakistan will be made as the largest exporting country of mango next year. This was said by Federal Minister National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan while addressing an award distribution ceremony organised by All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association in collaboration with Plant Protection Department here recently.
He said that the collaboration between PFVA and Plant protection department has given the best result this year, enabling the exporters to keep the high quality -sensitive market of the European Union despite a clear warning on the ground of quality and standard. The strategy formed by the two departments for meeting quality demands of the lucrative foreign markets would be continued during the next season. Pakistan, which is presently the fourth largest mango exporting country, will become the largest one by next year, he minister hoped.
According to Bosan, the country's agriculture sector is largely (97 percent) based on the small farmers who could play the major role for enhancing the country's exporters. Addressing the event, Federal Secretary of the ministry, Seerat Asghar said the actual heroes of the present export of mango to EU were the exporters who managed their pack houses as per standard of the western market to avoid the expected ban from EU. He also reminded that the minister had made it clear even in his constituency that no comprise would be made on quality and standard of fruits/vegetables. Waheed Ahmed, co-chairman PFVA, while addressing the event said that the demand for quality fruit and vegetable was worldwide. To meet the quality demands of valued markets, in view of the global warming and quarantine issues, Pakistan needed to take steps for Research and Development in the horticulture sector. Through the required R&D the country may easily achieve a targeted export of $4 billion in two years while the amount may jump up to $6 billion in 10 years.
He demanded the early formation SOPs for the export of mango besides ensuring the arrangement of a common facility center in Karachi, early instalment of the already imported VHT plant running it with the partnership of PFVA and construction of the R&D Laboratory in Karachi. Director General of Plant Protection Dr Mubarak said the minister and secretary of the ministry provided every support to the plant protection department and PFVA during the mango season. He also appreciated the role played by Waheed Ahmed and his team under the umbrella of PFVA for protecting the EU market for mango this year. Abdul Khaliq Yousuf Chairman PFVA also appreciated the minister and officials of plant protection department for their active role played in maintaining the international quality standard for mango this year.
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