MULTAN - The Mango Growers Cooperative Society Limited Multan (MGCSL) has demanded that the government should accomplish Cargo Complex at Multan Airport on priority basis to enable commencement of direct exports of mango from the city. The demand was made by the mango growers during a special general body meeting of the Mango Growers Cooperative Society Limited Multan (MGCSL) with the President of MGCSL Syed Zahid Hussain Gardezi in the chair. The meeting was attended by large number of growers from Multan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Vehari and Lodhran districts. The house expressed grave concern over the imminent threat of drought looming on agriculture in Pakistan. The house strongly pinioned that government should seriously take up water issues with India and should sincerely evolve broad based inter-provincial consensus for construction of Kalabagh Dam and other water reservoirs on war footings to prevent drought like situation in future. Apart from discussing various Mango Industry related issues, the house took stock of the present hype about the blind acknowledgement of the IMF and World Bank dictates and its consequences on the current federal budget 2011. The house categorically rejected the imposition of proposed RGST on agriculture inputs and agriculture implements as this will cause unprecedented hardships to the growers who are already distressed at the exorbitant hike in prices of diesel, fertilizer and electricity charges. The members were of the opinion that any such adventure will increase inflation and decrease productivity which would further rural poverty. The members of MGCSL demanded that MINFA and agencies related with horticulture promotion should facilitate mango growers to acquire certifications for Good Agriculture Practices and global access to Mango instead of abetting donors for mandatory compliance of these requirements who have a very limited agenda. The members were of the opinion that Government should work closely with Mango Growers Associations and Mango Growers Cooperative Society to understand and address real issues of productivity and On-Farm infrastructure development for large segment of small and medium mango growers who represent 95% of the mango industry. The growers, unanimously with anguish had the same opinion about 40% lesser crop of mango this season in comparison to last year due to inclement weather conditions and various fungal diseases.