MULTAN: The Mango Growers Cooperative Society Limited (MGCSL) has demanded the steps be taken to improve the condition of the Mango Research Station (MRS), Shuajabad, which is facing multiple issues.

MGCSL President Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi told Dawn the institute which was the premier research institute on the king of fruits was established in 1972 and since then has helped mango growers to overcome restraints related to various productive limitations.

“We’re proud of our agri-scientists who have helped growers to maintain the productivity through their guidance, but the indifference which has been shown towards the research and the facilitation of research institutions is dismaying,” he said.

He said that from day one a stepmotherly policy for agriculture by consecutive governments was being witnessed and adhoc approach towards agriculture research has brought the agriculture sector nowhere.

“We witnessed the disconnection of electricity at the mango research station due to nonpayment of electricity bills and the staff watered the mango trees through buckets. Today with a little better facilitation on the ground, sadly the roads leading from Shujabad City to MRS are in shambles. This berates the spoken policy of the leadership that agriculture is our backbone. It is a sad face of Pakistan in the agriculture sector. Every day is a new day as humanity gambles to reach the zenith. One can witness the outreaches of research in every field globally without which progress to betterment is never achieved,” he said.

Gardezi said only two sectors could develop Pakistan to an elegant level, firstly the agriculture sector being the lifeline of almost 67 per cent of the population of the country while it is directly contributing 27 per cent of the GDP while indirectly the percentage is more than of it while the second sector is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s favourite which is tourism.

“Unfortunately, both sectors are devoid of better infrastructural fulfillment. The ill-equipped, understaffed, and inaccessible research station at Shujabad is a blemish. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar should mandate an inquiry as to how and why this research station of significance to globally acknowledged King of Fruits has been neglected and denied easy access to mango growers from South Punjab. Even researchers both national and international who visit research facilities may be going back with negative impressions. Even the common man of the native localities are being badly ignored and humiliated,” he said.

He invited Mr Buzdar to the place.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2021