FAISALABAD - As many as 81 percent of total Pakistan fruit export consists of only three items Kinnow, dates and mangoes whereas 46 percent of total Pakistan vegetables goes to potato, 21 percent onion and share of other fresh vegetables is standing at 30 percent. This was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan. He was addressing a delegation of European Commission headed by Mr Berent de Groot at new senate hall, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Prof Dr Muhammad Amjad, Director Institute of Horticultural Sciences (IHS), Prof Dr Jalal Arif Principal Officer PRP and Prof Dr Amanullah Malik were also present on the occasion. He said that as many as 31 percent of total fruit export is linked with India that is importing in the shape of dry dates (Chhuhara) for the religious rituals to throw it in the river and temples as a part of their prayers. He said as many as 22 percent of the said export is going to Afghanistan and 12 percent to UAE. He said that as many as 58 percent of vegetables is being exported to Afghanistan, 22 percent to, 20 to the UK. He said as many 46 percent share of the fruit export goes to Kinnow, 22 percent dates and 13 percent mangoes. He said that the export of the country is standing at 365.4 million dollars whereas 44 percent share of the said export goes to fresh fruit, 14 percent processed fruit, 25 percent fresh vegetables and nine percent nuts. He said that the total area of cultivation of fruit and vegetable is 1,477000 ha area as fruits are being grown on 857,000 ha area, vegetables on 253,000 ha, potatoes 145,000 ha and condiments on 222,000 ha. He said the total production of fruit and vegetable is 15.205 million tones and while fruits 7.05 million tones and vegetables 3.214 million tones. He said that the university that was elevated to the status of university from college in 1961 has the academic collaboration with 90 international institutions and 22 national institutions. He said that the university is producing 100 PhDs scholars annually. He said that the university is working on 150 research projects worth Rs600 million that would help make a tremendous improvement in the field of agriculture. He also threw light on small scale, quality, traceability issues, orchard contractual system, disintegrated supply chain, high losses (reduced availability, profitability), complexity of marketing/intermediaries, low export volumes with low unit price and little value addition. He said that the UAF team would develop code of practice, provide trainings, pilot testing and advisory services. He also stressed the need to increase yield/per unit area, reduce losses (throughout chain), improve quality and food safety and increase value addition/Processed product. Mr Berent de Groot said the UNIDO was implementing a trade related technical assistance (TRTA II) programme funded by the European Union. The programme will provide a technical assistance to the key stakeholders for enhancing and value addition of selected horticulture produce such as mango and Kinnows.