Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah revealed that Sindh is the leading producer of dates in Pakistan, accounting for 57% of the nation’s total output. He spoke at the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan’s first International Date Festival held at the Sindh Expo Center. The event saw participation from both local and international farmers and traders.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, Pakistan ranks as the fifth largest producer and third largest exporter of date palms globally. However, Pakistani dates struggle to achieve competitive pricing on the international market. To address this, Shah emphasized the need to adopt varieties of date palms that are more productive and resistant to rain. He highlighted the economic and nutritional significance of palm trees, noting that they are considered cash crops worldwide.

In his address, Shah also detailed the agricultural landscape of date production across Pakistan. The province of Sindh, with Khairpur at its center, grows over 300 varieties of dates, including the prominent Asil variety, which comprises 70% of national production. Meanwhile, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contribute 33.5% and 2.5% to the national output, respectively.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that the three-day festival would enhance knowledge exchange and promote sustainable agricultural practices. He affirmed the government’s commitment to working with international partners, particularly the UAE, to adopt modern agricultural techniques and expand Pakistan’s footprint in the global market.

Furthermore, Shah mentioned the Ministry of National Food Security and Research’s initiative to cultivate palm in the Thar desert, emulating Gulf countries. Following extensive research, 38 varieties of date palms were identified, with 8 recommended for large-scale cultivation. However, the challenge remains with the traditional local varieties, which do not fare well against seasonal rains, leading to significant financial losses.

To counter these issues, Shah advocated for the import of rain-tolerant varieties and the development of new ones through advanced research methods like tissue culture technology. The festival concluded with the Chief Minister awarding certificates and cash prizes to the outstanding farmers.