Naundero: Larkana is known world over for world heritage monuments of Mohenjo Daro and massive production of Guava which contain iron in its seeds. Life of a fresh guava is about 48 hours for which cold storage is essential to be established in the entire Larkana Division for export.
This was stated by various speakers including Mir Mohsin Bilo and Fida Hussain Mahesar, Deputy Directors, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Saeed Tunio, Irfan Jatoi, Sikander Ali Shah Rashdi and others while addressing a seminar organized at Rashdi Fruit Farm here on Thursday for enhancing export of Guava.
The speakers said that no progress work has been done for the farmers previously and will never be done in future. They said TDAP had made commitments to send growers abroad for training but they sent their near and dear ones. If guava reaches buyers within 48 hours of its arrival in the market then its quality will be the best or else it will gradually become less beneficial with the passage of time, they claimed. They said growers do not plant new varieties because of fear of losses. They said uncleanness of guava orchids also have negative and bad effects on the Olive growth due to which insects attacks also occur.
They said if cold storages are established in the Larkana Division then growers will be able to store their produce and get proper rates otherwise wastage is too high which can be prevented only establishing cold storages and losses will also be reduced. They further said through cold storage Guava will also be exported which will earn a huge amount of foreign exchange.
Sirajul Oliya Rashdi, President, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, said that 19000 metric tons of guava production was recorded this year which is 2000 tons more than previous year. He said guava is being cultivated at high density which will produce three times more guava. He said due to water scarcity rice growers are also turning to guava orchids. He said we will have to export guava to save ourselves from losses or cut the orchids which will further aggravate environmental pollution.
Rashdi said that he had met Asif Ali Zardari when he was the President of Pakistan and had requested him to establish cold storage in Larkana who had assured that an Industrial Zone will be established in Larkana where Olive juice and Gem juice factories will be established.
He said Zardari further assumed that big cold storages will also be established to save guava from damage but his commitment has not yet been honored despite passage of 14 years. He said big industrialists and businessmen have been allotted plots in the industrial area and they have their own interests. He said terms and conditions kept for allotment of plots in the industrial zone are beyond the reach of small growers which they cannot afford.
TDAP officials said that we have come here to promote sweet guava of Larkana and make efforts for its export. They said if guava export is enhanced it will not only bring prosperity to the farmers but also earn foreign exchange for the country. They said if growers prosper country will progress.