In an initiative to give better access to Balochistan's fruit and vegetables in international markets, All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers & Merchants Association (PFVA) completed the consultation process with stakeholders of Balochistan for developing a road map to help uplift the horticulture sector.
According to the statement of PFVA issued on Friday, a delegation of PFVA led by Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed had visited the province on October 23-24, 2017 and held meetings with the Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Razzaq Khan, local growers and trade organisations of agri-produces and briefed them about developing a national policy on horticulture for speedy progress of the sector on the eve of National conference on Horticulture in February 2018.
Dishing out issues of the agriculture and horticulture sectors of Balochistan, the stakeholders of the consultative meeting voiced their concern about smuggling of fruits from Iran and Afghanistan as it is a big challenge, posing a serious threat to the agriculture economy of Balochistan.
Apples from Balochistan can be promoted by giving them international exposure by launching campaigns similar to the one launched for mangoes from Sindh and Punjab. And to achieve this goal a grand festival would be organised next year in Karachi, Ahmed assured. Of the collective export of fruits and vegetables of the country, the share of Balochistan is $45 million which can be enhanced to $150-200 million in a short span of three years and to $1billion in the next few years by establishing research and development facilities, Ahmed forecasted.
The land of Balochistan is highly favourable for good crops of onion and garlic, while with further improvement in quality apples, grapes, dates, cherries, peaches and apricots have excellent opportunities for export. Growers would be the main beneficiaries of this enhanced export campaign, he added.