HYDERABAD, Oct 09 (APP): Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) have agreed to strengthen industry linkages and promote public-private partnerships to bring Sindh’s mangoes in line with international export standards, improve quality and processing and expand access to global markets.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between university research and industry requirements, encourage private-sector investment in mango production and value addition, and help farmers and processors meet international requirements for quality, food safety, disease management and shelf life.
The understanding was reached during a visit to SAU by Shahryar Taj, Secretary of TDAP, who met Vice-Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr Altaf Ali Siyal on Friday to discuss ways to commercialize research outcomes and strengthen Sindh’s mango value chain.
According to the SAU spokesperson, SAU is implementing three projects with support from the Export Development Fund (EDF), the Mango Disease Diagnostic and Research Centre, the Clean Mango Nursery and the Mango Drying Unit. These initiatives aim to improve disease diagnosis and management, ensure the availability of healthy planting material, promote mango processing and value-added products, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the competitiveness of Sindh’s mangoes in domestic and international markets.
SAU Vice-Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said the projects reflected the university’s commitment to addressing agricultural challenges through practical research and innovation.
Shahryar Taj appreciated SAU’s contribution to agricultural education and research, observing that Sindh had considerable potential to expand exports of its agricultural commodities. He stressed the need to ensure that research findings reached farmers, processors and exporters, while stronger coordination among academia, industry and relevant institutions could help local producers meet international market requirements.
SAU also proposed organizing an agricultural expo at the university next year in collaboration with TDAP. The proposed event would showcase agricultural research, innovative technologies, value-added products and commercial opportunities, bringing together researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, processors and exporters to encourage investment and business partnerships.
The visit was attended by TDAP Director General Abdul Karim Memon, Dean of the Faculty of Crop Protection Dr Abdul Mubeen Lodhi, Dr Mubarak Ali, EDF Deputy Director Abdul Qayyum, SAU Registrar Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi, Dr Imtiaz Nizamani, Fida Hussain, Qazi Sadiq, Dr Niaz Wahucho and other university and TDAP officials.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
