LAHORE: In Pakistan’s Punjab province, mango growers are keeping a close eye on their produce in the run-up to judging in the “Best Mango Grower” competition.
The Punjab government holds the annual competition to encourage mango growers to boost their yield of the fruit.
This year’s contest will be judged in July.
Four varieties of mangoes — sindhry, chonsa, samar behishat and white chonsa — have been listed for competition.
Growers from the Multan, Khanewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzzafar Garh, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Jhang and Bahawalnagar districts are taking part in the contest.
The minimum orchard area required to enter the competition is three acres.
“We advertise the terms and conditions for all those who want to take part in competitions. This year, farmers possessing more than three acres of land can submit their applications for the contest,” Najad Abbas, assistant director of Media Research, Punjab Agricultural Department, told Arab News.
“The competition is designed to encourage production of mangoes, a major export fruit that earns foreign exchange for the country,” Rai Muddasar Abbas, director of Punjab Agriculture Information, said.
“We have good markets for the mangoes all over the world, but have far less production than demand. China, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and European countries are our main clients,” Rai Muddasar said.
“This year we are expanding our market to Indonesia and Malaysia as well.”
Agriculture department teams will judge growers’ produce and send their reports to the main office, where experts will announce the winner.
“The department gives cash awards and agricultural instruments worth million of rupees to the winners,” Rai Muddasar said.
Growers view the competition as a morale-boosting activity.
“Pakistan has the best variety of mangoes in the world. There is a big market in the world waiting for our mangoes. Such competitions encourage the growers to invest more and get more,” Karar Kazmi, a mango farmer, said.
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