HYDERABAD: Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have agreed to strengthen industry linkages and promote public-private partnerships to bring Sindh’s mangoes in line with international export standards, improve quality and processing, and expand access to global markets.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between university research and industry requirements, encourage private-sector investment in mango production and value addition, and help farmers and processors meet international requirements for quality, food safety, disease management and shelf life.
The understanding was reached on Friday during a visit to SAU by TDAP Secretary Shahryar Taj, who met Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss ways to commercialise research outcomes and strengthen Sindh’s mango value chain.
SAU is implementing three projects with support from the Export Development Fund (EDF): the Mango Disease Diagnostic and Research Centre, the Clean Mango Nursery and the Mango Drying Unit. They aim to improve disease diagnosis and management, ensure the availability of healthy planting material, promote mango processing and value-added products, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the competitiveness of Sindh’s mangoes in domestic and international markets.
Prof Siyal said the projects reflected the university’s commitment to addressing agricultural challenges through practical research and innovation. Stronger collaboration with the private sector was essential, he said, to translate research findings into commercially viable solutions, improve product quality and ensure the long-term sustainability of research initiatives.
He said public-private partnerships could help take university-developed technologies and products to farmers, processors and businesses, creating opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth while strengthening Sindh’s agricultural economy.
Mr Taj praised SAU’s contribution to agricultural education and research, observing that Sindh had considerable potential to expand exports of its agricultural commodities. He stressed the need to ensure that research findings reached farmers, processors and exporters, adding that stronger coordination among academia, industry and relevant institutions could help local producers meet international market requirements.
The meeting explored potential areas of cooperation, including mango quality improvement, disease prevention, clean nursery development, processing technologies, utilisation of by-products and extending product shelf life.
Participants underscored the importance of aligning production and processing practices with export-market requirements, particularly quality assurance and food safety, to help Sindh’s mango industry compete more effectively internationally.
SAU proposed holding an agricultural expo at the university next year in collaboration with TDAP. It would showcase agricultural research, innovative technologies, value-added products and commercial opportunities, bringing together researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, processors and exporters to encourage investment and business partnerships.
The principal investigators briefed the visiting delegation on the objectives, activities and expected outcomes of the three EDF-supported projects. The delegation also visited the project sites and reviewed ongoing activities.
Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026
