PCJCCI proposes enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and China to grow improved mulberry varieties

Lahore: Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Moazzam Ghurki said on Thursday afternoon proposed enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and China to grow improved mulberry varieties.

Sharing his views in a think-tank session here at PCJCCI Secretariat, he maintained that several improved mulberry varieties selected and bred by the research institutes have proved to increase mulberry leaf output by around 30 percent.

“Up till now, two new series, namely, Nongsang and Qiangsang, have covered over 70 percent of China’s grafted mulberry fields. These were also provided to farmers, contributing to the country’s fight against poverty,” he mentioned.

Moazzam Ghurki observed that mulberry saplings have been exported to Uzbekistan. By providing technical support such as breed selection and planting guidance to the Chinese companies cooperating with Uzbek government, this can also be applied in Pakistan as long as water resources suffice.

“For areas with inadequate water, we can grow seedlings in China when they are vulnerable and then graft them to Pakistan,” he remarked.

Moazzam Ghurki stressed that Pakistan was importing silk worth Pakistani Rs 67 billion and it produces more silk locally, it will provide employment to 600,000 people mostly the rural women.

He added that Mulberry is one of the most popular fruits in Pakistan. Mulberry trees, fast-growing and small to medium-sized, are being cultivated in rural areas of Pakistan. Apart from wide presence in Punjab, these can also be found in Khyber Pakhtunkhaw, Abbottabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“Thanks to the hot climate, the growth period of mulberry trees in Pakistan is about 10 months, which means its leaves can be harvested several times within one year,” he opined.

Ghurki said that it was a fruit tree with no part going waste its leaves can be used as feed for silkworms, which provide silk for the textile sector; its branches are used to make different types of baskets that can be seen in almost every rural house of Pakistan. Its fruit is edible and can be processed into mulberry juice, powder, jam, vinegar, and tea.

In his comments, PCJCCI Senior Vice President Fang Yulong said that the techniques of seed cultivation can be commonly used.

“Most of our techniques can also be applied in Pakistan as long as local climate fits,” he underlined.

He added that several improved mulberry varieties selected and bred by the research institutes have proved to increase mulberry leaf output by around 30 percent.

Vice President Hamza Khalid said that Punjab was the area with most potential because around seventy percent of flora is found in Punjab. And in terms of population, Punjab can also play an important role in this industry.

On the occasion, Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif said: “Our target should be to engage 1,000 families in this business in ongoing spring season.”