A One-Day Seminar on “Quality Dates Supply Chain Management for Agri. Business Development” was held at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur organized by Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI), SALU, Khairpur in collaboration with Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and Sindh Enterprises Development Fund (SEDP). Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur presided over the seminar while Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari, Vice Chancellor, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam was the chief guest.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto said that this area is Date belt the same has been ignored field. There is need to revive and work scientifically on Date Palm on need base. Dr. Ibupoto remarked that we have constituted Board of Directors Date Palm Research Institute to avail collective wisdom and to take various decisions. The recommendations of the seminar will be presented to the Govt. of Sindh. The purpose of this seminar is to provide latest information to the end user for the prosperity of growers.

Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari said, agriculture growth is the need of the time. He said if the 50% of growth increased, I am optimistic that in the next 12 years we will reduce the poverty and malnutrition.  He said that the Date is the major crop of this area. The Date may be exported to Malaysia and Indonesia; we will earn the money from export. He underlined the need for marketing, planning and research in the field of Date.

Engr. Prof. Dr. Syed Madad Ali Shah, Vice Chancellor, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology & Skills Development, Khairpur also spoke on the importance of the Date Palm. He stressed the need for the using of latest technology for the capacity building of the Farmers.

Mr. Raees Ghulam Qasim Jiskani, Former Minister Agriculture, Govt. of Sindh accorded special thanks to Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto for organizing this awareness seminar for growers. He said it is high time to maintain quality of Dates for the purpose of international market. He said Khairpur is producing 50% of Dates in Pakistan; the predominant variety is Aseel and Karbalai. He stressed the need for advanced training to the growers. He said we have to capture markets of the elite varieties

.Mr. Noor Muhammad Baluch, Director General Agriculture Research, Govt. of Sindh said we are striving to promote research on Dates. We have established Date Palm Station at Kot Diji. He said that the Govt. of Sindh will establish Tissue Culture Lab. He said we have capacity building but resources are required.

Mr. Salman Abro said Date is one of the leading productions of this area. It is vital to work on its bi production in order to control on its wastages. Academicians, Researchers and Growers must concentrate on their collaborative efforts for the enhancement of the Date production in this area.

Mr. Sirai Niaz Khaskheli also spoke. He said that Solar Dryers may be introduced to avoid losses from Monsoon rains. He said organizing this seminar is a healthy sign. Tissue Culture may be promoted among the growers.

Dr. Waqar from IBA University, Sukkur spoke on value chain process and international market. He said measures may be taken to improve to export the Dates, Market should be integrated, institutional setup and relationship among growers, consumers, market, consumer agents, factory owners and trade development authority may be promoted.

Dr. Tahira Jat, Director, DPRI said Date is complete food. The origin of Date Palm starts from Iraq, Pakistan, Middle East and Africa. She said Pakistan is the 6th largest Date producer country of the world. She said Monsoon rains are affecting adversely to this product. She said it is time to grow elite varieties in this area.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Islamil Kumbhar, Chairman, Department of Agriculture Education, SAU, Tandojam presented the recommendations of the seminar based on farmers capacity building, market efficiency. He recommended that new export opportunities may be availed in the Muslim countries. Date growers linkage may be promoted. Policy may be devised to mitigate climate change. Research funds for Date growers may be allocated.

A large number of Deans, Directors, faculty members, growers and researchers attended the seminar.