HYDERABAD, Feb 13: A delegation of the federal ministry of food, agriculture and livestock here on Tuesday held separate meetings with the representatives of the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture and Sindh Abadgar Board to create awareness among the growers about the Agri-Business Support Programme.

Leader of the delegation, Shad Mohammad Khan, while explaining the objectives of the programme, said that it was aimed at providing financial help and incentives to growers to expand their business within and outside the country, specially those of fruits and vegetables.

He exhorted the growers to export fruits and vegetables abroad and said it would greatly improve their socio-economic conditions. He said the government would provide 50 per cent of required funds to the growers and added that the programme had a budget of Rs1.5 billion.

He urged the growers to derive maximum benefit out of the programme and produce fruits and vegetables of international quality. He said the programme would also bear 50 per cent expenses for improvement of land and also help in the export of fruits and vegetables by issuing certification.

He said proper packing of fruits and vegetables helped fetch more prices in the national and the international market.

He said it was time for the growers of Sindh to avail of this opportunity for improving their lot.