Pakistan's fruit exporters have lobbied the government on how it should spend its money to boost the country's produce exports, ahead of the Finance Minister's annual budget announcement.
In a letter to the Federal Finance Ministry, fruit and vegetable exporters said government efforts should focus on the introduction of improved varieties, such as seedless mandarins; improving product quality (through the management of fruit flies – especially in mango, guava and citrus, and the management of kinnow rind blemishes); improved orchard management practices (technology and training); and improved post-harvest handling (cold chain and value-added products technology and training). For this purpose, necessary funds should be provided in the budget, they said.
