Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam played a pivotal role as a key partner at the 56th Annual Mango Festival held in Mirpurkhas, according to information on Moday.
Under the personal interest and directives of Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri, SAU experts participated prominently from the first day, contributing significantly to various sessions and sectors to ensure the festival’s success.
On the inaugural day of the festival, Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri attended the opening ceremony alongside the Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, prominent political leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, and Secretary Rafiq Ahmed Buriro. The ceremony was also attended by Divisional Commissioner Faisal Ahmed Aqeeli, Director General of Agriculture Research Sindh, Noor Muhammad Baloch, and Chairman of the Mango Festival Management Committee, Rais Arif Khan Bhurgari, along with Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rasheed Masood Khan, provincial and district administration officials, and agricultural experts.
During the opening ceremony, Provincial Minister Muhammad Bux Mahar emphasized the importance of research and student involvement at the university. He lauded the efforts of Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri and issued directives on behalf of the Sindh government for the Department of Agriculture to establish a mechanism for providing internships and interestfree loans to SAU students. This initiative aims to enable young graduates in agricultural education to start their own agricultural businesses.
The Horticulture Department of SAU, led by Dr. Mujahid Hussain Laghari, Dr. Noor Un Nisa Memon, Dr. Niaz Ali Wahucho, and Muzammil Jamali, set up a stall showcasing grafting techniques for new mango orchards. For all three days of the festival, SAU experts trained farmers, urban residents growing mango plants at home, and representatives from various institutions on the correct methods of grafting.
Another team of SAU experts, including Dr. Mujahid Laghari, Dr. Tanveer Fatima Miano, Dr. Noor Un Nisa Memon, Dr. Saba Ambreen Memon, Dr. Niaz Wahucho, and Dr. Asadullah Marri, served as judges for the stalls. They evaluated the different varieties of mangoes presented by progressive farmers at the festival, and the rankings were announced during the closing ceremony.
SAU experts Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Khasikheli, Dr. Imtiaz Ali Nizamani, and Dr. Aasia Akbar Panhwar participated in technical sessions, discussing mango diseases, treatments, preventive measures, packaging, marketing, export, crop yield improvement, and the impact of climate change. They addressed farmers’ queries and highlighted future opportunities in mango cultivation.
In recognition of SAU’s tireless efforts and modern agricultural academic methods, an agreement was signed in the presence of the Commissioner of Mirpurkhas. The agreement was signed by Dr. Mujahid Laghari, Chairman of the Department of Horticulture at SAU, and progressive farmers Tanveer Gondal of Gondal Farms, Mansoor Cheema of Cheema Farms, Ajay Kumar of Sufi Farmers, Zulfiqar Ali Kachelo of Kachelo Farms, and representatives of SLD Private Limited. The agreement aims to place SAU’s finalyear and master’s students in internships at progressive farms, where they will assist farmers in technical support, farm management, and yield improvement.
The students will also conduct regular field visits to monitor soil health, water and soil testing, crop quality, and other aspects. Sindh Agriculture University and its experts played a crucial role in the success of the threeday 56th Mango Festival held in Mirpurkhas.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri reiterated SAU’s commitment as one of the country’s leading and oldest universities to contribute to agricultural development, research, farmer assistance, crop improvement, livestock breeding, and student support. SAU will continue to collaborate with other institutions and play its vital role in enhancing the country’s GDP through its expertise.