Scientists of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad has successfully developed post harvest technology to preserve and enhance mango export. This was told by MPA Chaudhry Raza Nasrullah Ghumman, addressing a training workshop on 'Post Harvest Management of Mango' held here on Thursday.
He urged the need for farmers to adopt the latest technology for processing, handling and export of mangoes developed by the AARI scientists, and lauded the latter for its work in this regard. The government attaches top priority to agriculture sector and the problems faced by agri scientists will be solved very soon, he added.
Dr Muhammad Rashid, DG Agriculture (Research) AARI said that despite constraints, the scientists have developed new varieties of crops, fruits and vegetables that are being widely grown not only in Punjab but across the country.
He observed that it is unjust that AARI scientists have not been given pay scales equal to the employees of other agri research institutions, and remarked on the brain drain of their scientists due to the high disparity in the pay scales. Dr Ihsan Ilahi Bajwa, Director Post Harvest Research Center, informed that the center has developed post harvest technologies which have extended the shelf life of different fruits and vegetables.
He said mangoes can be preserved up to 30 days with the help of this technology, which will play a major role in enhancing exports. Agricultural scientists, farmers and representatives of Export Promotion Bureau also attended the workshop.