HYDERABAD, March 5: Australia is assisting Pakistan in controlling pests and diseases of mango crop to help the country produce international quality fruit and increase production under an agriculture linkage programme between the two countries.
The programme will be implemented for three years in Sindh and Punjab with technical expertise from Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research.
It will help develop integrated orchard management packages to reduce disease, improve fruit quality, reduce biennial bearing and improve mango supply chain in the country.
Dr Chrys Akem who heads a three-member team of experts from Australia visited Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) of Tandojam on Monday said that the programme would greatly help control progressive or slow decline or dieback, quick dieback and sudden death of mango trees.
Dr Ian S. E. Bally, team member, and senior research horticulturist of Queensland Horticulture Institute said the programme also included development of improved nursery systems for the production of high quality disease-free planting material for mango crop.
The team has already concluded a visit of Multan’s mango producing areas and institutions and will visit Mirpurkhas and its surrounding areas on March 6 and 7.
They visited pathological and entomological laboratories of ARI Tandojam where director general the institute Hidayatullah Chhajro briefed them about progress made by the institute in the field of plant protection, integrated pest management and disease control.
The programme envisages evolving improved detection and management strategies for mango’s sudden death syndrome disease and other critical pests harming the fruit.
Training of all the stakeholders including agriculture researchers, extension officers, growers and contractors is also part of the programme to help enhance their capacity for better crop management and quality production.
Progressive growers Mehmood Nawaz Shah and Hadi Leghari were also present during the team’s visit.
EXHIBITION: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Livestock and Fisheries Faqir Jadim Mangrio inaugurated an agriculture exhibition at Bhitshah, part of the 263rd Urs celebrations of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai on Sunday.