HYDERABAD, Feb 25: Sindh Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Food Hassan Ali Chaniho has stressed the need for increasing production of jujube as these were very popular in foreign countries, especially in the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking as a chief guest at an exhibition of jujube in Nauabad, Sanghar district, he said that agricultural marketing was the most common problem facing the growers, and added that good packing, grading and shelf life would help increase export of products surprisingly.

He claimed that “export of Pakistani jujube was increasing gradually” because it was full of rich vitamins.

He also claimed that “jujube had become the national fruit” of our country.

He said that the agricultural department would provide manual grading machines to growers that would help them in packing and marketing.

He urged that keeping in view the shortage of water the growers should concentrate on crops which required less quantity of water.

He said that jujube also required minimum water.

The director, Sindh Horticulture Research Institute, Dr Atta Hussain Soomro informed the audience that currently different varieties of jujube were being harvested on 750 acres in Hyderabad District and last year there had been a production of 4,168 metric tons.

The official said that the jujube improves the digestive system and purifies the blood in the body.

He further said that all jujube-related pesticides were available in the market which prevented different diseases.

CAMP: The Isra University Hospital has decided to hold free medical and surgical camps all over Sindh.