The Australian ambassador in Pakistan, Ms Margret Adamson revealed on Monday 18 July, that her country has launched a $12 million programme for the uplift of the agriculture sector in Pakistan.
She was addressing the participants of a two-day mango festival organised by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) and Punjab Agriculture Department. She added that the programme had been launched by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and collaboration with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad to conduct research in many joint programmes.
She declared that joint ventures with MNSUA would be launched in the coming days. She pointed out that more initiatives were needed to boost the export of Pakistani mangoes.
Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister said that both countries enjoyed close ties in the agriculture sector. He said that the government had launched a number of initiatives to boost mango production, such as initiatives to protect mango from fruit fly and other diseases.
Director General Agricultural Research Punjab Dr Abid, Vice Chancellor of MNSUA Dr Asif Ali and others said in their speeches that mango was Pakistan’s prime product to improve foreign exchange. They stressed the need for enhancing mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Australia for producing and marketing mango on a commercial basis.
Mango growers from across the country set up their stalls and dozens of local and foreign varieties from the USA and Australia were displayed.
Source: nation.com.pk
Photo: dailytimes.com.pk
