ISLAMABAD - Caretaker Punjab Minister for Agriculture Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan inaugurated a three-day mango festival at The Centaurus Mall here on Friday.
The mega event was attended by Ambassador to Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov, Secretary Narcotics Arif Nawaz Khan, Senior Vice President PGCL Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Executive Director Higher Education Dr Arshad Ali and Vice Chancellor MNS Agriculture University Multan Dr Asif Ali. Different stalls have been set up in the multi-storey plaza, where different breeds of mangoes have been displayed to attract visitors.
According to officials, the show in the capital has been organised by the Punjab Ministry for Agriculture, in collaboration with some management of The Centaurus, inter university consortium, MNS Agriculture University Multan and 7ocean association. At present, there are multiple types of mangoes in Pakistan out of which nine are registered. The famous types of mangoes are Chaunsa, Sindhri, Anwar Ratore, and Langra which have no match in taste in the entire world.
On the occasion, the media was told that Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, in a very short duration of caretaker government, has initiated revolutionary steps for agriculture.
Field, continuation of which will pay an important role in the country’s development.
Sardar Tanveer also donated a sum of Rs 20 million in personal capacity to MNS Agriculture University Multan which is a very noble step.
"This deed will act as a beacon and source of inspiration for others", officials said.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Chief Executive Officer Centaurus, while addressing the media, said that the basic aim of organizing this exhibition at The Centaurus was not only to highlight the importance of Pakistani mangoes but also to increase and enhance its export and this exhibition will play an important role in enhancing the productivity of mangoes.
He said the total production of mangoes in year 2015-16 was approximately 1705,080 tonnes whereas export was only 64,112 tonnes. Last year, Pakistani mangoes were exported to many new countries out of which Japan, America, Lebanon, Marakish and South Korea are on the top of the list.
