ISLAMABAD: Experts on Friday suggested during a three-day International Horticulture Conference that that advantage of geo-climatic environment should be taken for various horticulture crops based on outcome of latest research techniques while they also stressed for establishment of crop specific centres of excellence under the China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) in public sector universities of the country.
Organised Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), a large number of experts participated and shared their views in the conference regarding make-shift trend of horticultural fresh crops to value addition to minimise the post-harvest losses.
They urged for a cohesive effort needed to address the interactive face of the potential stakeholders for investment plan in horticulture industry and efficient use of cheaper skilled manpower and proper business plan to boost floriculture industry in Pakistan.
On the occasion, Punjab Agriculture Research Board Chief Executive Officer Dr Noorul Islam was the chief guest while PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Sarwat N Mirza was the guest of honour. The ceremony was also attended by foreign delegates, participants, faculty members and students.
Experts said that it is the need of the hour to expand Orchard Registration Programme by promoting best practices of fruit and vegetables production through agri extension and development projects.
They suggested improvement in business chain of horticultural products by strenghtening domestic market and emphasised concerned authorities to imply vigilant monitoring of the already approved protocol for maintaing international standards of horticulture crops.
They discouraged import from neighbouring countries and promoting deficient horti crops through Indigenous Production Technology and suggested the development of strategic plan and capacity building to jump into Asian flower market in addition to Europe and North America.
They urged for developing clusters, collaborative marketing and infrastructure facilitation of horticulture crops and promoting research to make horticulture fresh products into value added foods.
The experts emphasised on strengthening farmers’ credit system to promote horticulture sector and promotion of somatic hybridisation and tissues culture technology of date palms, bananas, citrus for mass production, rootstocks and varietal improvement.
Dr Noorul Islam, Professor Dr Sarwat N Mirza, PMAS-AAUR Faculty of Crop & Food Sciences Dean Dr Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, PMAS-AAUR Horticultural Department Chairman Professor Dr Hafiz Ashfaq Ahmad addressed the participants on horticulture sector’s importance, its future and problems.
At the end, the chief guest along with PMAS-AAUR vice chancellor distributed certificates among the participants of the conference.
Published in Daily Times, April 28th 2018.