Advanced research: Mango value addition for export urged

“The use of advanced processing technology and preserving methods can prevent mangoes from being decayed,” says UAF vice chancellor. PHOTO: FILE

FAISALABAD: The value addition of mangoes and dates and application of state-of-the-art techniques to preserve them will help the country earn hefty foreign exchange.

This was the consensus in a meeting held between University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS), Department of Biology Chairman Dr Muhammad Tariq at the VC Chamber.

The meeting also agreed to collaborate in areas of research and value addition of mango and wheat as well.

Khan said that the nation’s mango crop enjoyed limited access to exporting markets. Because of the unavailability of proper storage, big quantity of mangoes gets rotten.

“The use of advanced processing technology and preserving methods can prevent mangoes from being decayed,” Khan said.

“Pakistan is one of the largest producers of dates and holds significant export potential,” he said, adding that the country’s export of dates amounted to more than $200 million per annum. He said that the major constraints towards the export of dates are improper fruit handling techniques and insufficient processing facilities.

Tariq said that agriculture was the backbone of the country’s economy. He said that value addition and state-of-the-art preserving methods were vital to increasing exports.