Mango festival to facilitate mango value chain continues

Islamabad: The three-day Centaurus Mango Festival held at the Centaurus Mall in collaboration MNS Agriculture University Multan continued on Saturday. The theme of the event is “Connecting Mango Growers, Businesses, Consumers and Exporters” and it is aimed to facilitate connections and partnerships across the mango value chain.

The Centaurus Mall has been playing significant role in promoting Pakistan’s local businesses, artisans, farmers, growers and other small industries by providing a platform that connects them to a larger audiences.

Pakistani citizens eagerly wait for mango season as this delectable fruit was not just a source of deliciousness but also a significant contributor to the country’s economy and a source of national pride.

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, CEO of The Centaurus Group and President IDA Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, MNA Hanif Abbasi along with other distinguished guests of honor and ambassadors inaugurated the 2nd day of the mango festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that Pakistan is a global leader in mango production consistently ranking among the top producers. Over 300,000 smallholder farmers cultivate mangoes making it a vital source of income and employment in rural areas. Punjab province reigns supreme contributing a whopping 78% of the national mango output, while Sindh province follows closely behind at around 21.6%.

The IDA President mentioned that Pakistan’s total mango production is 1.79 million tonnes annually, out of which only 6% is exported mainly to the UAE, UK, Oman, US and the European Union. However, Pakistan’s post-harvest losses are very high ranging from 0.36 to 0.71 million tonnes, which is 20-40% of the domestic volume. The losses in mango production are much higher than those of its exports, he added.

To control losses and enhance export production, Sardar Yasir Ilyas urged the government and stakeholders to focus on promoting modern farming practices, providing training to farmers, investing in cold storage facilities, transportation and packaging infrastructure, implementing integrated pest management strategies, developing disease-resistant cultivars and exploring new export markets

The Mango Festival attracted a varied audience including academia, researchers, government officials, ambassadors, agricultural experts and mango growers. This event is a key platform to highlight the value of Pakistani mangoes and boost their export potential. By fostering knowledge exchange and interaction among stakeholders it enhances mango productivity and industry growth.

Visitors can explore over 70 mango varieties, including popular types like Sindhri, Langra, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol, and Dussehri, as well as unique varieties such as Neelun, Begum, and Sensation. This festival offers a chance to see and purchase top-quality mangoes in one place.