KARACHI: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan on Thursday urged for the export of quality mangoes and other fruits which meet the required standards of international markets.

Addressing a seminar for ‘Awareness of Mango Exporters’ organised by the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) in collaboration with the USAID, the minister said exporters should support growers, especially small farmers, who are unable to survive due to the high cost of production.

The federal government is going to provide maximum relief to the agricultural sector to reduce the cost of production, he added.

Mr Bosan urged mango exporters to provide better rates to farmers and jointly work to improve the quality of fruits.

PFVA Chairman Waheed Ahmed said the association has already presented a road map of increasing exports of the sector to $10 billion in the next six years to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A detailed presentation in this regard was also made to President Mamnoon Hussain very recently.

He said difficulty in registration of farms was one of the problems being faced by exporters. Global warming is likely to pose serious threats to the production of fruit and vegetables and an effective strategy is needed to address the threat, he added.

With focus on research and development and new varieties, citrus export could be increased to $1bn during next 10 years, he said.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2016