Pakistan has the potential to increase the value of its fruit and vegetable export from $25 million to $7 billion over the next decade, if it were to invest more in research and development.
The issue was discussed between Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants (PFVA) at a meeting at PCSIR head office on Friday. 
The participants included: Director General, Dr S Naimat Ali Rizvi, Dr Omer and Dr Khalid Jamil, and Ms Beena Naqvi, Senior Scientific Officer from PCSIR while PFVA was represented by Waheed Ahmed and Mohammad Ilyas Khan, Chairman and Secretary General respectively of PFVA.
it has long been the plan of the PFVA Chairman to initiate improved processes for research and development across the country.
The agenda of the recent meeting was to: Share the concerns of the PFVA about the issues/problems related to export of fruits and vegetables, share the vision of the PFVA about R&D in this segment of agribusiness, seek technical assistance, advice and support of the PCSIR in establishment of R&D facilities for the PFVA, and get familiar with their labs and research work in agribusiness.
The Chairman, PFVA expressed his keen desire that the PCSIR play an active role in conducting training workshops/seminars for bridging the communication gap between growers and exporters.
The Director General, Dr Rizvi, assured the PFVA Chair that the PCSIR would be happy to provide assistance on the following items:
- Developing a specific pesticide for a particular issue.
- Assist PFVA in developing Ethylene Chambers for ripening various fruits.
- Conduct seminars for growers/exporters for bridging the communication gap.
- Assist growers in multiplying the yield significantly by use of "Plant Tissue Culture Technology" (PTCT) which would ultimately benefit exports as well.
- Assist PFVA in developing Ethylene Chambers for ripening various fruits.
- Conduct seminars for growers/exporters for bridging the communication gap.
- Assist growers in multiplying the yield significantly by use of "Plant Tissue Culture Technology" (PTCT) which would ultimately benefit exports as well.
- Provide "soli testing" facility to the growers, and provide technical expertise to PFVA in resolution of any specific issue referred to the PCSIR.
Source: Business Recorder
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