June 02, 2014

USAID Firms Project Dried Mango Program

Geographic Focus Punjab and Sindh

Implementing Partner Chemonics International Inc.

Start date July, 2012

Introduction:
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Mango is the second largest fruit crop of Pakistan and source
of livelihood for a large population. However, it has no
established commercial industry for value-added mango
products, particularly dried mango. Pre and post-harvest losses
in the sector are very common annually; poor quality fresh
mangoes are sold at low prices with little profit for the growers.
These lower grade mangoes are perfect raw material for
mango value-added products that have a shelf life of one year
or more. The global shortage and subsequent demand for dried
mango products offers a significant opportunity for exporting
and leading niche marketing activities. This ultimately provides
small-scale producers, farmers, and agro-processors a Sample of dried mangoes
gateway to bigger economic opportunities and prospects.

Sector Constraints:
 Lack of technology and equipment: Lack of appropriate modern equipment used for mango drying and limited
knowledge of its operations inhibit the growth of dried mango sub sector in Pakistan.
 Process and product development standards and certifications: The dried mango producers have limited
awareness of the global standards of product processing, skills to apply these protocols and lack of requisite
international certifications. This hinders their ability in product diversification, developing export quality products and
accessing high-end international markets.
 Lack of market linkages: Despite the increasing demand of dried mango products in global markets, lack of a
proper strategy and market driven approach reduces the chances for Pakistan's dried mango products to penetrate
these markets.

Interventions:
In a bid to develop the first-ever dried mango industry in Pakistan, the USAID Firms Project is assisting four dried mango
processing Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs in Sindh and Punjab. The objectives of this include enhancing
processor level infrastructure to increase the production capacity of project-assisted SMEs, providing modern drying
technology and equipment, and training the workforce to efficiently use them. Furthermore, this involves improving the
productivity of dried mango processing SMEs through extensive skill-enhancement activities that promote waste
reduction and yield quality products that can compete in the global markets. Developing international and local market
linkages for dried mango processing SMEs and creating multiple platforms to promote mango value-added products is
also being given emphasis for boosting sales and export revenues. Some of the key areas of intervention are:

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TARTA Pakistan- http://trtapakistan.org/sector-products/horticulture/mangoes/
a. Infrastructure and Technology Upgrading:
In-kind assistance has been provided to four SMEs
processors on a cost-sharing arrangement. For contributing
approximately USD 0.1 million in cost share towards
upgrading the infrastructure at their facilities, the SME
partners are given the following equipment:
 Modern dryers, locally fabricated and the first of its kind
in Pakistan, with a processing capacity of one ton of
mango per day. International expert has been hired for
design of the dryer technology.
 Processing tools and equipment to ensure a better
quality dried mango product including plastic totes for
washing the fruit, stainless steel knives and tables for
peeling and slicing the fruit, equipment such as weigh
scale, refractometer, gas burner, and cutting boards
etc. Steel knives and tables for peeling and slicing dried
mango fruit
b. International Certifications:
The Firms Project is facilitating in development of standardized production protocols and packaging for the dried mango
product that are in line with the international market requirements. The SME processing facilities are also being assisted
to attain Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification, and this certification is critical for accessing
international markets.
c. Capacity Building through Training:
 Technical training on the appropriate use of drying equipment, improving food safety and hygiene, dried mango
processes, product development, and packaging solutions are being organized. These trainings will build the
capacity of the processor SdMEs and their workforce, to produce quality products that meet international standards.
 An exposure visit to the Philippines – one of the largest dried mango producing countries in the world - was
conducted on a cost share basis, where the partner SMEs learnt best practices in mango processing so that they
could be replicated in Pakistan.
d. Marketing and Linkages with Buyers:
Assisting SMEs by creating market linkages with local and international buyers with the aim of enhancing business
outreach and increasing their product’s visibility in the international market through the following activities:
 Participation in the world’s leading fruit and vegetable exhibition, Fruit Logistica Berlin and Hong Kong.
 Facilitated sample shipments of dried mango and other mango value-added products to the US and EU markets.
 Participation in local exhibitions and expos in Pakistan
 Hiring local and international consultants to provide assistance for development of dried mango product in
accordance to international standards as well to improvise the packaging quality of the product.
 Identifying and linking beneficiaries with key international buyers in U.S, E.U. and China.
e. Partnerships and Cooperation:
Through its interventions, USAID Firms Project has actively sought guidance, expertise and cooperation from the
following organizations:
 PCSIR (Pakistan council of scientific and Industrial research) for product testing and development of standard
protocols.
 Trade Development and Authority Pakistan (TDAP) for promotion of sales through marketing events.
 Ayub Agriculture Research Station and Mango Research Station, Multan for consultations on product development.

Results and Expected Impact:

 Increased value of private sector investments to USD 191,461.
 Expected Increase in sales revenue of four processor SMEs by USD 0.2 million by December 2014.
 Expected to create 25 direct jobs in the partner manufacturing units and over 100 in the ancillary sectors by
December 2014.
 Expected to develop processors capacity to produce 80 tons of export quality dried mango for the first time in
Pakistan by December 2014.