Daily Times

The mango festival which is being held at Centaurus Mall, Islamabad has strengthened the productivity and export of mangoes.

This was narrated by Food, Agriculture & Planning & Development minister during the closing ceremony of three-day mango festival held at The Centaurus Mall in Islamabad attended by the dignitaries and notables from all walks of life specially from field of agriculture. The said ceremony was attended by Professor Dr Asif Ali, Vice Chancellor Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan. Professor Dr Masoom Yasinzai Rector International Islamic University Islamabad, Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan Ex-Vice Chancellor for University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Dr Sarwat N Mirza, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and Afaq Tiwana President farmer association of Pakistan.

He further said that Pakistan is an agricultural country and such events will help boost the agricultural development of the country. He added that agricultural profession is a patrimony and inheritance for Pakistan and this is our exclusivity. Country’s progress is directly proportionate to progress in agriculture field. Therefore, we need a permanency and continuity of the agricultural reforms required for rapid development. Expressing his personal interest, he narrated that now that he has become a minister for agriculture, but, in past as well he had been working for the development and progression of agriculture in Pakistan and shall continue to do so in future as well in personal capacity irrespective of his portfolio. He further added that every citizen must play his/her positive role in the development of agriculture. He said that at present, quality of Pakistani mangoes is being appreciated all over the world and to further improve upon it, we need to expedite utilisation of scientific means and at present this is the priority of the Punjab government. In a very short span of time, we had taken important steps for the betterment of its cultivation. Referring to projects initiated for the better productivity of mangoes he said that a research work is being carried out in Agricultural Machinery Research Institute Multan to enhance the post-harvest duration, a success of which shall contain the chances of mangoes being decayed.

Published in Daily Times, August 7^th 2018.