ISLAMABAD (January 15 2004): Promotion of horticulture sector needed special incentives including provision of machinery and shading nets to be used by flowers and ornamental plant nurseries, hybrid flower seeds, and planting materials.

According to a study report, Pakistan's climatic conditions are very favourable to enhance the production of horticulture, which may greatly help to enhance and contribute in the country's exports.

There exist rich prospects and potentials for further boosting cultivation of fruits in different areas of the country.

Arid land horticulture should be promoted and expansion of public sector nurseries may be undertaken. Horticulture export should be included in re-finance scheme of State Bank of Pakistan, the report added.

Growing of high value crops like vegetables, medicinal plants, industrial crops needed to be properly encouraged and tea plantation on commercial scale in selected areas of NWFP should be promoted.

A long-term credit facility will be needed for tea growers and private sector should be encouraged to establish processing, grading, packaging, and cold storage facilities through provision of liberal credit.

Agro-based industries required to be promoted in rural areas in order to efficiently utilise agricultural commodities and provide income and employment opportunities to the rural population.

The perishable nature of fruits and vegetables compounded by rough handling, lack of storage, packing and transport facilities result in considerable post harvest losses.

These have been estimated as ranging from 30-40 percent of the product and to reduce losses, research on aspects like delayed ripening, radio pasteurisation; waxing, control of fruit rot and dehydration would have to be undertaken.

The marketing system for fruits and vegetables is highly underdeveloped and since small farmers are located at long distance from the main marketing centres, the middlemen normally to charge exorbitant commissions, thus reducing the return to the farmers.

In Northern Areas and NWFP, large quantities of fruits and vegetables are lost or fed to cattle because of the lack of transport. Marketing of vegetables and fruits may be improved by providing marketing credit and improving infrastructure.

Courtesy Business Recorder