To ensure mango quality: Automated grading machine installed in Thatta

System installed in Jhirk village, funded by USAID

HYDERABAD: An automated grading machine was inaugurated at a ceremony in Thatta district Friday, with the aim of multiplying export of mangoes to the high-end international markets.

Equipped with this system, one of the farms of Sindh Mango Growers and Exporters (SMGE) organisation can now process dozens of tons of exportable quality mangoes a day.

The grading system, installed at Mustafa Agricultural Farm in a village of Jhirk, was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its Agriculture Market Development (AMD) project.

Speaking at the ceremony, US Consul General Karachi Brian Heath said that the grader can process two tons of mangoes of seven different sizes in just one hour.

“Pakistan is the fifth largest mango producer in the world. 1.7 million tons [of mangoes] produced last year but only 8% of the total production, worth about $61 million could be exported,” he said.

The facility also provides hot water, drying and cooling treatments to the fruit to increase its shelf life as well as proper packaging to meet standards of markets in US, Europe and other developed countries. The SMGE has been shipping mangoes by sea to the European countries for many years.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan acknowledged that Pakistan is yet to realise its mango export potential and pointed out the deficiencies.

“[The] inadequate checks and controls of exports to the EU and the Gulf markets have often led to limited return,” he said.

Bosan said that the government is taking measures like increasing hot water treatment plants in Pakistan, improving pack house operations, developing 50 ethylene chambers and banning calcium carbide to boost the exports.

The farmers are also being encouraged to register their mango orchards for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification and adopt a more targeted and comprehensive marketing strategy, he added.

Responding to queries, the minister said the exports of fruits and vegetables to China could not begin because of the country’s quality requirements.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.