MULTAN, Oct 16: J. Fonger, a consultant from Wageningen Plant Science group, the Netherlands, completed his two-day survey of the Mango City of Pakistan, Multan, to prepare report on how to give a phenomenal boost to its production and export.

Mr Fonger is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Attaur Rehman and Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) to study agriculture with special emphasis on horticulture's present situation, problems and potential, says a release issued by Mango Growers Association (MGA) on Saturday.

Having already visited Quetta and Peshawar for apple, and Sargodha for kinnoo, the consultant undertook Multan's two-day visit from Oct 14-15 to focus mango. He will also visit other areas and submit his report after conclusion of his interaction with the stakeholders.

Pakistan ranked sixth in the world in mango production in 2004 with 1,034,000 ton and showed a comparatively better performance than the last year in exporting the fruit to new markets. "But more is needed to be done to make the most of it in terms of export," MGA President Zahid Hussain Gardezi said.

Accompanied by PHDEB Technical Manager Dr Ijaz Ahmed, Mr. Fonger held a meeting with EDO (agriculture) Saifullah Khan, visited Mango Research Station, Shujabad and had talks with its director Chaudhry Abdul Haq.

MRS scientists Tariq Malik and Ikhlaq Ahmed briefed the visitor on the research activities. They also visited the orchard of MRS.

Meanwhile, the expert attended a special meeting with the MGA at its office where growers informed him that 40 per cent of the produce went waste due to lack of proper infrastructure in Multan.

Mr Fonger and Dr Ijaz Ahmed also met DCO Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry to discuss the availability of land for the establishment of proposed Mango Export Processing Zone in Multan.

The MGA president also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, growers said the mango zone should have grading, waxing, cooling facilities, besides reefer containers and refrigerated cargo bay and a cold storage.

They also reiterated their demand for a mango research institute in Multan.-APP