Larkana : The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Sukkur Office organized a seminar on
guava at Larkana. The objective of the event was to assess the viability of export potential of guava
from Larkana division and its region. This event served as common platform for the representatives
of Sindh Agriculture Department, Guava Research Institute, Sindh Abadgaar Board, Sindh
Chamber of Agriculture, District Administration, and Larkana Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Larkana who discussed and debated on various issues and challenges that discourage the
productivity and profitability of the product. The other key resource speakers who virtually
participated were Mr Zulfiqar Momin of M/s Galaxy Fresh Produces Karachi, Mr. Abdul Rahim
Khan ex-senior scientist Ayub Agricultural Resource Center Faisalabad and Mr. Abdul Karim
Memon Director General Sindh-Baluchistan TDAP Karachi.
Deputy Director TDAP Sukkur apprised audience about the mandate and working of TDAP,
Ministry of Commerce and Pakistan Trade Missions Abroad. The growers of guava identified
problems like ineffectiveness of pesticides and other inputs which only increase the cost of
production but do not increase the yield of the crop quantity and quality wise. The vice-president
Sindh Abadgaar Board expressed his concerns about lack of modern Research & Development
(R&D) to improve and innovate the varieties which are in demand of international markets as fresh
fruit or in processed products. The president Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Larkana added that
lack of SMEs of Guava pulp and guava squash/ juice have also put inverse impact on the product.
The senior vice president Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed that the
Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of pesticides and shorter shelf life of the product discourage the
export of guava. Henceforth. Zulfiqar Momin the prominent expert and exporter of Fruits
presented his insights and suggested that like other prominent exporting countries, the growers of
guava of Pakistan can use plastic bags on guava fruit to address the problem of MRL of pesticides.
For the longer shelf life of the product, he suggested import of modern variety seedlings whose
shelf life is about 20-25 days. Mr Zulfiqar Momin assured the growers that when he returns to
Pakistan he would hold a comprehensive session with the stakeholders at Larkana.
The participant thanked TDAP for the organization of such an informative session at Larkana.
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