United States Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson on Monday said the U.S. government is supporting Pakistan’s mango farmers through infrastructure upgrades, new market opportunities and access to international certifications.
The ambassador was speaking at the 2013 Annual Mango Conference and Festival.
He said, “US support has led to increased mango sales of $20.5 million and a five-fold increase in exports of mangoes to international markets,” he added. Olson and Commerce Secretary Qasim Niaz joined mango growers and exporters at the conference to celebrate the unprecedented success of Pakistan’s mango sector in the last few years.
The US government through the US Agency for International
Development (USAID) has helped boost mango production and exports to international markets, leading to 75 percent increase in farm revenues and creation of hundreds of new jobs across Pakistan.
Niaz thanked the US government for their support to mango growers and producers that has led to increased productivity.
“A relationship that is based on trade, not just aid, is one that we will look forward to have with the United States,” said Secretary Commerce Qasim Niaz.
USAID Senior Specialist, Value Chain Department Dr Waqar Ahmad presented a paper on protocols and SOPs for mango value chain.
Commissioner Minor Crops, Ministry of Food Security and Research Aslam Gill briefed on the steps that mango exporters should take for meeting sanitary and phyto sanitary conditions and regulations of foreign countries.
Sindh Mango Growers Association President Ghulam Sarwar Abro, President Multan Mango Growers Association Major (r) Tariq Khan and Farid Khan Khakwani, a mango grower spoke about the technical and financial assistance extended by USAID to the farmers.
