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Horticulture
is considered to be the science, business and art of growing
and marketing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental
plants. It is unique among plant sciences because it not only
involves science and technology, but it also incorporates
art and design principles.
The horticulture sector in Pakistan represents tremendous
unrealized potential and what is needed is systematic and
focused attention, for Pakistan to carve a niche for itself
in this global market of $ 80 billion. Of Pakistan's 88.2
million hectares of land, approximately 20 million hectares
are used for agricultural and horticultural purposes. Of that
amount only 20 percent is considered to have the potential
for intensive crop production.
Presently Pakistan annually produces 13 million tons of fruit
and vegetables valued at around $ 2 billion, and out of this
only about half a million tons valued at $ 140 million, is
exported. The factors inhibiting export growth include our
inability to comply with quality and sanitary/phytosanitary
standards and insufficient shelf life of our fresh fruits
and vegetables. Export expansion for fruits and vegetables
products is held back by the poor quality of seeds, lack of
proper packing materials, inadequate transport, and undeveloped
state of the marketing system.
About one-half of Pakistan's population depends on the agricultural
sector for employment. The agriculture and horticulture sectors
account for approximately 25 percent of the country's gross
national product and support 70 percent of the population's
food needs.
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