Country Can Earn More Foreign Exchange Through Modern Horticulture Practices

Experts at a seminar said that the country could earn more foreign exchange by adopting modern horticulture practices

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Oct, 2017 ) ::Experts at a seminar said that the country could earn more foreign exchange by adopting modern horticulture practices. The seminar on the role of Higher Education Commission (HEC) in promotion of horticulture was arranged by the Institute of Horticulture Sciences (IHS), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), here on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Muhammad Amjad said that fruits and vegetables have a comparative advantage. He said that the demand for the horticulture produce is increasing with each passing day and its values is higher than wheat, rice and maize.

He said that the net income of farmers from fruits and vegetables is higher than that of the cereal crops.

He said the horticultural crops contributed to commercialization of rural economy, which is characterised by increased trade and marketing.

He said that the HEC, since its inception in 2002, had played a marvelous role by ensuring quality education, producing manpower and research. IHS Director Dr Aman Ullah said that the horticulture sector had great potential to generate income through value addition.

He said that mango had less shelf life and if we apply the modern trends that will help export it. He said dates can be processed to earn a large amount of foreign exchange. Dr M Qasim, Dr Iftikahr Ahmad, Dr Waseem Haider, Dr Tanveer Husain, Dr Mehmood ul Hassan, Dr Mujahid Ali amd others also spoke on the occasion. APP/aar/ia/rsd