The Horticultural Foundation of Pakistan (HFP) will organise national conference on "Increased Vegetable Production to Alleviate Poverty in Rural Areas" here on January 22. The conference to be held at National Agricultural Research Centre, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad is likely to be inaugurated by Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Nazar Muhammad Gondal.
The main objective of the conference is to discuss and identify the impediments and bottlenecks in the way of speedier growth in vegetables besides suggesting ways and means to streamline production and exports. The HFP has invited exporters and growers from within the country to exchange of views and share knowledge and experience for mutual benefit.
HFP President Dr Saeed Ahmad said that currently vegetables are being grown on less than one percent of the total cropped area of Pakistan. Even at this low level of cultivation, vegetables are not only meeting the demand of the local population but also earning about Rs 2.5 billion annually in foreign exchange, he added.
The foreign exchange earning can be increased manifold, provided the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan conducts a survey of the international markets for the type of vegetable demanded, time of scarcity periods and the import of different countries.
The survey information could be utilised to find the niches for contract production of that very vegetable, in period of scarcity with desired export standards.
Strengthening of vegetable research for production and post harvest handling can help in achieving these targets. The increased vegetable export will increase the income of the rural poor masses by increasing the market price of the high quality vegetables and increasing opportunity of on-farm jobs, Dr Saeed remarked.