The 55th Annual National Mango Festival took place in Mirpurkhas, Sindh from June 2-5, 2023, celebrating the diverse range of mango varieties while bringing together mango growers from across the province. This prestigious event marked the first-ever participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), showcasing its dedicated efforts to enhance the mango value chain and support farmers. FAO's presence not only demonstrated their encouragement to mango farmers but also facilitated the promotion of valuable market linkages among them.
Over the course of three days, the festival attracted thousands of visitors from all over the country who were fascinated by the exhibition of over 200 mango varieties. The event, which took place at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Hall, Sindh Horticulture Institute featured 42 stalls where farmers from Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Sanghar, and other districts proudly showcased their cultivated mangoes.
FAO's stall at the mango festival received visits from dignitaries, researchers, agriculture experts, academicians, and the general public. The district administration of Mirpurkhas commended FAO's efforts for the mango growers of Sindh. The attendees emphasized the immense potential for Pakistan to earn foreign reserves by expanding its mango exports. In addition to the festivities, the National Mango Festival offered a unique opportunity for farmers to learn about new varieties of mangoes being grown in different parts of the province and develop their knowledge about techniques to increase their harvest.
Under its Growth for Rural Advancements and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, FAO played a vital role in facilitating connections by bringing together farmers from FAO's farmer field schools in different districts of Sindh and displaying their mangoes at its stall.  The platform not only allowed farmers to display their produce but also highlighted the complete value chain of mango production, empowering farmers to achieve higher quality and better market rates.
FAO recognizes such festivals as ideal platforms for farmers to engage in fruitful discussions, exchange knowledge, and explore potential collaborations. Encouragingly, the FAO farmers expressed their keenness to participate in future festivals with their own stalls, which is an evidence to their growing confidence in their produce and the valuable skills gained through their engagement with FAO's initiatives.
The event also acknowledged the achievements of successful farmers, distributing certificates and cash prizes among the winners in various categories. Furthermore, FAO's presence at the festival advocated for the importance of sustainable agriculture in ensuring food security and promoting responsible consumption. FAO's commitment to supporting farmers and fostering linkages contributes to an encouraging and inclusive agricultural sector, enabling farmers to thrive, consumers to enjoy high-quality produce, and markets to flourish with sustainable and ethically sourced products.