The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company has launched its flagship “Pilot Project on Mango Bagging” along with a training workshop aimed at improving pre-harvest practices and enhancing the quality of Pakistan’s mango exports.
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The inauguration ceremony was held in Multan at Dera Haji Mushtaq Ahmad Kalroo near Qasim Bela, where a large number of progressive mango growers, exporters, entrepreneurs, and representatives from research institutions and academia participated.
Officials highlighted that mango bagging is a scientifically proven pre-harvest technique that involves covering developing fruits with specialized bags to create a controlled micro-environment. This method helps reduce fruit fly infestation, minimize pesticide residues, and protect the fruit from environmental damage such as dust, sunburn, and physical injury. It also improves color uniformity, size, and overall quality, ensuring compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
CEO PHDEC Athar Hussain Khokhar said the initiative was first introduced three years ago and has shown promising results, paving the way for large-scale adoption by the private sector. He emphasized that the project has increased confidence among growers and exporters and urged stakeholders to adopt modern techniques to enhance export competitiveness and foreign exchange earnings.
The initiative has already gained traction across Sindh and South Punjab, with many growers and exporters voluntarily adopting the practice. Industry representatives noted that mango bagging has significantly improved fruit quality and profitability, with some reporting up to double returns compared to traditional methods.
Experts from the Mango Research Institute Multan conducted technical sessions, offering practical guidance on bagging techniques, timing, and handling, along with field demonstrations to support effective implementation.
Vice Chancellor of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan, Asif Ali, praised PHDEC’s efforts and expressed optimism that such initiatives would strengthen Pakistan’s position in premium global markets, including Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United States, and China.
PHDEC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting innovation, capacity building, and market-driven strategies in the horticulture sector to improve product quality, reduce losses, and enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global mango trade.
