Federal Minister for Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan said that Pakistan would take tough decisions to enhance mango export.
Addressing a seminar by the Fruits Exporters Association, Sikandar Hayat Bosan said a ban on Indian mangos due to fruit-fly issue in the European Union had provided an excellent opportunity to Pakistani growers to grab market. He added that tough decisions could reduce export but all possible measures would be taken to avoid a ban on exports.
Bosan urged the farmers to be highly careful of mango fruit-fly because it was the main issue behind its export in European market. He urged them to nurture their mango orchards properly and follow instructions of experts to tackle fruit-fly. He added that a special campaign was in progress in the country to sensitise growers about issues of fruit-fly.
He also urged traders and exporters to follow standards of exports to capture new markets and earn a good name to Pakistan. About cotton seeds, he said a bill on the seed policy would be tabled in the National Assembly after its approval by the cabinet. He said that sellers of supurious seeds would be fined up to Rs 200,000 besides six months imprisonment.
He said that work on a new bill on patent rights was also in progress and would be presented very soon. He hoped that renowned companies of the world would provide standard seed after the passage of the bill of patent rights. The minister said the government was working for the welfare of small farmers.
