US helping Pakistani mango farmers access world markets

THATTA: U.S. Consul General Brian Heath visited a mango farm in Tando Hafiz Shah to inspect automated mango graders and processors provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID Deputy Mission Director Denise Herbol and Deputy Provincial Director Patrick Brady were also present.

“The United States is helping Pakistan boost domestic and international sales of Pakistani agricultural products, including mangoes,” said Consul General Heath.

“We want to make Pakistani mangoes as competitive as they can be in international markets,” he said.

Pakistan is the fifth largest mango-producing country in the world, but exports less than 8 percent of its production.

“Pakistani mango exports to the U.S. doubled last year, setting a record at 184 metric tons, and there is even more potential in this area,” said Mr. Heath.

USAID, through its Agricultural Market Development (AMD) project, is increasing access to new markets for Pakistani mango farmers, while ensuring better prices through improving compliance with international grading standards and export protocols.

USAID supplied top-of-the-line automated mango graders imported from one of the world’s leading manufacturers as well as training farmers how to use them to the best advantage.

USAID launched the U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development in February 2015 to increase production and sales of products, including meat, vegetables, mangoes and citrus.

This partnership promotes cooperation among farmers, processers, exporters and buyers of agricultural products from Pakistan.