Food minister lauds Australian contribution to agri sector

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan on Tuesday lauded the contributions of the Australian government in alleviation of rural poverty through agricultural productivity enhancement, livestock sector boost, and water resources management in Pakistan.
The minister said this while addressing the event titled ‘Showcasing ASLP Phase-II’. In a statement, he said that water management through furrow irrigation system, disease free nurseries, development of comprehensive orchard management protocols, pre-embryonic mango variety import, identification of new markets, and development of improved post harvest practices are the efforts that have contributed much towards mango and citrus production.
Minister Bosan highlighted that annual production of mango was around 1 million ton and exports valued around $20 million per annum. The minister identified poor orchard and nursery practices, irrigation management, inadequate pest and disease control strategies, post harvest losses, and lack of cold storage facilities as key constraints, the statement said.
The minister reiterated that government has outlined dairy as one of the prime sectors. It has been planned to increase milk production, encourage processed milk and improve quality and profitability of small farmers through marketing and increased milk production.
The Australia-Pakistan Agriculture Sector Linkages Programme (ASLP) launched in 2006 with a budget of $6.6 million aimed to transfer knowledge and expertise, poverty alleviation, research, development and agricultural extension. After successful completion of the first phase, it was extended for another five years. In phase II, the prime focus was on mango, dairy, and citrus sector. ASLP has three synergistic components that focus on pro-poor value chains, agricultural capability, and enabling agriculture policy. The ASLP has more than 27 active partners that include public sector institutions, universities and private commercial operations. Direct participants include around 1,500 dairy farmers and more than 350 growers.