Farm deal across nations

Farmers on both sides of the Punjab border have agreed to promote business in mangoes, citrus fruits, potato and potato seeds. Mangoes and citrus fruits will be imported from Pakistan. Farmers on the Indian side of Punjab will export potato and potato seeds to Pakistan.

The Pakistani Mango Growers Association has decided to hold exhibitions in Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Chandigarh in July. Also, farmers of both the countries are planning to embark upon joint associations.

Farmers of both nations want an area on the border to be declared as "green belt", where they can have "fruit mandis".

Speaking to Business Standard, Mango Growers Association President Zahid Hussian Gardezi said, "Three products have been identified, and we will conduct exhibitions in both countries to promote them. We will export mangoes and citrus fruits to India, and will conduct exhibitions for two days in three cities of Punjab. Farmers from Punjab will hold exhibitions in Lahore, Gujarat, and Faisalabad in Pakistan, on potato and potato seeds. In these exhibitions we will be able to assess the demand for our products here."

Hussain said, "To have a "green belt" on the border is one of our major demands. We also want quarantine and dry port facilities at the Wagah and Attari borders. Students of agriculture universities should be allowed to travel under the exchange programmes."