Australians help control mango diseases

Australia is assisting Pakistan in controlling pests and diseases of mango crop to help the country produce international quality fruit and increase production under an agriculture linkage programme between the two countries. The programme will be implemented for three years in Sindh and Punjab with technical expertise from Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research. It will help develop integrated orchard management packages to reduce disease, improve fruit quality, reduce biennial bearing and improve mango supply chain in the country. Dr Ian S. E. Bally, team member, and senior research horticulturist of Queensland Horticulture Institute said the programme also included development of improved nursery systems for the production of high quality disease-free planting material for mango crop. The team has already concluded a visit of Multan's mango producing areas and institutions and will visit Mirpurkhas.