Horticulture Development conference on January 22nd

ISLAMABAD, Jan 18 (APP): The Horticultural Foundation of Pakistan (HFP) is organizing a conference on horticulture development on January 22nd, here at the Auditorium of National Agricultural Research Centre, Chak Shahzad.

Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock,is scheduled to inaugurate the conference, HFP sources told APP here.

Currently vegetables are being grown on less than 1 % of the total cropped area of Pakistan. Even at this low level of cultivation, vegetables are not only meeting the demand of the local population but also earning a revanue of about Rs. 2.5 billion annually in foreign exchange.

The foreign exchange earning can be increased manifold, provided the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan conduct a survey of the international markets for the type of vegetable demanded, time
of scarcity periods and the import of different countries, the organisers of the conference said.

This increased vegetable export will increase the income of the rural poor masses by increasing the market price of the high quality vegetables and increasing opportunity of on-farm jobs.

Exporters and growers from within the country have been invited for exchange of views and share the knowledge and experience for mutual benefit.

The discussions and deliberations in the seminar would provide an excellent opportunity to identify the impediments and bottle-necks, in the way of speedier growth in vegetables and suggest ways and means in streamlining production and exports, the orgnizers added.