Eight date varieties to be grown in Thar Desert, arid regions

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, speaking at the inaugural session of the First Pakistan International Date Palm Festival at the Expo Centre on Friday, lauded the efforts of progressive farmers and traders who have gathered from across the country and abroad to showcase their expertise and products.

He underlined the significance of date palms as one of the most valuable cash crops globally, emphasising their nutritional and economic importance. He pointed out that Pakistan, with over 252,000 acres dedicated to date palm cultivation, produced more than 730,000 tonnes of dates in 2022, solidifying its status as a leading player in the global date market.

Despite this, the CM acknowledged the challenges Pakistan faces in maximizing the value of its date production. While the country ranks fifth in production and third in export quantity, its international trade value remains lower than expected. To address this, he stressed the importance of introducing improved rain-tolerant, high-yielding varieties and modern post-harvest technologies.

Shah also expressed pride in Sindh’s leadership in date production, contributing over 57 per cent of the country’s total output followed by Balochistan with 33.5 per cent, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 2.5 per cent. Khairpur was singled out as a hub of biodiversity, with over 300 cultivars, including the prized Aseel variety, which commands about 70 per cent of national production.

He stated that Begum Jhangi and Mozavati are esteemed varieties in Balochistan, while Dhakki is celebrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In closing, the CM expressed confidence that the three-day festival would provide a platform for knowledge exchange, paving the way for sustainable growth in the sector.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing international partnerships, particularly with the UAE and fostering innovations that will unlock Pakistan’s potential as a key player in the global data market.

Based on our favourable agro-ecological conditions and inspired by the successful date palm cultivation in Gulf countries, Shah announced that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, through the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, has launched a ground-breaking project to introduce date palm cultivation in the Thar Desert. Following thorough trials, 38 varieties were assessed, and eight have been recommended for large-scale propagation.

He said these eight date varieties have great potential for expanding cultivation into other arid regions, such as the vast Cholistan Desert in Punjab. However, Pakistan's date varieties, while deeply rooted in tradition, are mainly local and often not suitable for direct export or value addition.

He added that our dates are also highly sensitive to seasonal monsoons, which often occur during the ripening phase, resulting in significant losses. “To address this, it is urgent to introduce improved, rain-tolerant, high-yielding varieties through germplasm import

from Gulf countries or through advanced breeding programs,” the CM said and added that the tissue culture technology will play a crucial role in accelerating the propagation of these superior varieties.

Later, he also distributed certificates and cash prizes among the top and best growers. He also performed the inauguration ceremony of the First Pakistan International Date Palm Festival at the Expo Centre by cutting a ribbon accompanied by Governor Kamran Tessori and UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zabi.