“Strong linkage between research institutions and stake holders from horticulture produce sector is vital for enhancing export of fruits and vegetables from Pakistan”, said Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Exporters (PFVA) and Importers Association Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed at a meeting held at Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Karachi.
He led a delegation of PFVA representatives who visited PCSIR labs and met with PCSIR Director General Dr. Khaula Shirin and her team. The PFVA Delegation comprised of Senior Vice Chairman Aslam Pakhali, Vice Chairman Committee Shahzad, and PFVA General Secretary Ilyas Ahmed. The PCSIR was represented by Director General Dr. Khaula Shirin and scientists Razia Begum, Sohail Shaukat, Omer Mukhtar Tarar and Abdul Basit Khan. Matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. Waheed Ahmed briefed the director general about the objectives and programmes of PFVA and highlighted the areas of mutual cooperation. He emphasised the need for well in time preparation of all stake holders to take up the regulatory requirements for upcoming campaign of kinnow export to Indonesia, expected to start mid-November. He was assured of full cooperation from PCSIR for his vision of enhancing fruits exports from Pakistan.
PFVA delegation informed PCSIR director general and scientists regarding growing research needs of horticulture export sector. Development of disease free new banana varieties through tissue culture technique was one of those. Khaula Shirin assured the provision of every kind of technical support through her manpower in the subject area. Prospects of establishment of a facility for banana tissue culture were discussed. It was agreed to prepare a concept paper on the proposal.
Khaula Shirin also assured her full support for the upcoming national conference on horticulture sector being organised by PFVA. She declared the theme of the conference very attractive and hoped it will be a land mark in the history of horticulture sector. She emphasised the need to address applied issues in the conference. Issues of research on nematode associated with potatoes being exported to Russia and thrips associated with bitter gourd were discussed and PCSIR scientists showed their keenness to take up these projects in order to resolve the problems. It was discussed that authorities would be approached for prompt funding of PCSIR projects linked with boosting the national economy in general and fruits and vegetable exports in particular. It was noticed that by the virtue of spending only Rs 30 Million, PCSIR could reduce its response time for pesticide maximum residue levels testing, which will provide great relief to exporter of perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.
Published in Daily Times, October 22nd 2017.