LARKANA: Larkana is known world over because of world heritage monuments of Mohenjo Daro and massive production of Guava orchids which contain iron in its seeds. Life of a guava is about 48 hours for which cold storage is essential to be established in the entire Larkana Division.

This was stated by various speakers including Saeed Tunio, Irfan Jatoi, Sikander Shah Rashdi and others during a ceremony held at Rashdi Fruit Farm here on Wednesday. The speakers said that 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 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 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 honoured 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.