MULTAN  - Mango Growers Association (MGA) Multan president Major (r) Muhammad Tariq Khan said on Monday that Pakistan can triple its earning from fruits and vegetables exports provided post-harvest and value addition facilities are made available at mango growing areas of South Punjab including Multan.
He said that South Punjab including Multan contributes around 72pc of the national mango production and some 70pc of exportable fruit is grown in mango clusters particularly Multan and Rahimyar Khan. However, despite this contribution, the post harvest, value addition and infrastructure facilities were provided at other mango growing areas which defies logic, he added. He said that Multan must have large scale Vapour Heat Treatment (VHP) plant that can treat mango at 46C for an hour to enable it find its way to the lucrative market, Japan. He added that country’s fruit and vegetable exports can fetch triple the existing revenue provided we meet China and South Korea’s plant protection department’s conditions and it can happen by installing facilities in Multan.
He said that some growers have got installed small scale VHT plants in Multan with the help of USAID and recalled that South Korea’s ambassador also visited these facilities few days ago and had promised to convey demand of Pakistani mango exporters regarding direct export of mango to South Korea.
He demanded an inquiry into the installation of a big VHT plant in Karachi at a high cost.