MULTAN, Dec 26: The Mango Growers Association has expressed concern over what its meeting held on Friday observed non-existence of any agricultural policy in the country.

The meeting was presided over by MGA President Syed Zahid Gardezi while executive committee members from various parts of the mango growing areas of the Punjab participated it.

The meeting reviewed the year’s exports and termed the performance of the government departments ‘dismal’. It called for research and development of infrastructure to boost exports.

The ‘doctrine of adhocism’ in the sector also came under fire, as its executive members observed that due to the absence of a long term agricultural policy, 70 per cent population attached to the sector was suffering.

The MGA demanded that the government should arrange export of fresh fruit and vegetables from the places where they were grown, keeping in view their perishable nature, instead of transporting them to far off destinations. It said that Multan should be declared ‘mango export zone’ and a modern cargo complex be set up at the airport.

A grave concern was shown in the meeting over the uncontrollable disease of ‘quick decline’ or ‘die back’ of the mango trees. The meeting demanded that a modern mango research station and a disease diagnostic laboratory be set up in Multan. — Correspondent