‘Punjab Mango Festival 2012’ in the country will give access to mango growers and exporters to international markets and also help introduce other agri items of Punjab to the world. In spite of load-shedding, Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the development of agriculture sector. Agri items of the province are being introduced at international level and the efforts made by the provincial government for the uplift of agricultural sector have also been appreciated at international level. Punjab government is desirous of introducing food items, vegetables and fruits of the province in the world and had showcased 22 agri items and other products in the International Green Week held in Berlin Germany at the beginning of the current year with the aim of introducing its produces in the European markets. The inaugural ceremony of Punjab Mango Festival 2012 was jointly arranged by Agriculture Department, Punjab Board of Investment & Trade and City District Government Rahim Yar Khan in Islamabad. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Ishaq Dar inaugurated the exhibition. Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Dr. Mufta Ismael, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Mian Mushtaq, foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Islamabad, mango growers, traders, buyers and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
Punjab Mango Festival arranged under joint collaboration of Punjab Board of Investment & Trade, Agriculture Department and City District Government Rahim Yar Khan will open up new avenues of trade for mango cultivators and exporters as well as create opportunities for further increasing production of fruits in the province. Participation of diplomats, industrialists and other individuals associated with agri sector in the festival is encouraging and the departments concerned of the Punjab government deserve appreciation for the holding the first mango festival of its kind in the country. As many as 110 varieties of mangoes grown in Punjab and Sindh including Chaunsa, Doseri, Langra, Anwar Retore and Sindhri have been displayed at the exhibition. Punjab government has taken solid steps for the improvement of agriculture, livestock, dairy, horticulture and floriculture sectors as well as provision of necessary facilities to the farming community.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the mango festival, Senator Ishaq Dar said that despite worst load-shedding, Punjab government is striving for increasing the export of agri items, fruits and other products. He said that by arranging the first exhibition of mangoes in the country in Islamabad, Punjab government has gathered mango growers, exporters and buyers under one roof and thereby taken an effective step to promote mango exports to international markets. Senator Ishaq Dar lauded Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s efforts to develop agri sector on scientific lines and link it with international markets so that besides meeting the challenges of food security, the sale of agri products, vegetables and fruits could also be increased in the local and international markets.
Senator Ishaq Dar further said that credit goes to Punjab government which despite limited resources has brought improvement in education, health and other sectors of economic development through an effective strategy. He said that the overall economic progress and growth rate have drastically slowed down due to poor policies and mismanagement at the federal level as well as load-shedding and it has also shaken the confidence of foreign investors. He said that the aim of progress and prosperity cannot be achieved unless investment is made in education, health, infrastructure and other sectors of socio-economic development and available resources are utilized in the most effective manner. He said that though terrorism is a big challenge for Pakistan and the world but still there is a wide scope for investment in Pakistan. He said that Pakistani nation is talented and capable enough to face the challenge of terrorism, energy and economic crises and though it is difficult task but it can counter these challenges with the help of other countries. He said that if the Pakistani nation gave a chance to Pakistan Muslim League-N in the next general elections which seem to be near PML-N leadership has the vision, determination and a competent team to bring the country out of crises.
Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Dr. Mufta Ismael in his welcome address said that provincial government is giving special incentives and facilities to foreign investors to increase food exports. He said that Punjab government through its participation in International Green Week in Germany at the beginning of current year has taken a solid step towards increasing production of agri items and fruits. He also appreciated the government on giving a subsidy of more than 22 billion annually on tractors, agri implements, improvement of irrigation network, tunnel farming and brick lining of water courses. Earlier, Secretary Agriculture Mian Mushtaq while highlighting the purpose of holding Mango Festival 2012 said that it is aimed at promoting awareness in the foreign diplomats, international institutions and local and foreign traders regarding production of different varieties of mango in the province. He said that Chief Minister Punjab has taken solid measures for the uplift of agriculture sector as well as increasing production of different crops and fruits in the province. He said that Global Gap Certification is being obtained for 1350 mango orchards in the province by linking them with 30 suppliers.