MINGORA, Oct 20: The local persimmon growers have complained that despite large scale yield they can`t export the fruit owing to lack of proper marketing at government level. They said that persimmon, cultivated on about 5,000 acres in different areas in the scenic valley each year, was the third largest fruit of Swat. They said that it generated about Rs1 billion revenue annually.Presently, a large number of workers can be seen in the local gardens and orchards to pick persimmon, also known as Japani fruit in the area, and supply it to different parts of the country as it is the lastfruit of the current season in the district. Khurshid Ali Khan, an experienced farmer, told Dawn that persimmon was the third largest fruit of Swat after peach and apple. `It has a unique taste and its beautiful shape and colour attract buyers, he added. Mr Khan said that owing to lack of proper marketing at government level, farmers were unable to export persimmon and generate more revenue for the country. `About 30 per cent fruits are wasted in the orchards,` he said. He added that government should take solid steps to make sure on time supply of persimmon to the market. Mr Khan said that the only cold storage centre in the district was also closed. He added that government should facilitate farmers by providing them with transport and cold storage facilities for timely supply of persimmon to the market. Fazal Mulla Zahid, an agricultural expert, said that persimmon was being produced in a large quantity in Swat. About 0.1 million tonnes of persimmon were produced annually in Swat, he said. Mr Zahid said that about 0.5 million trees of per-simmon were grown on 5,000 acres in Swat. `Persimmon is the only fruit, which does not need fertiliser and water,` he said. He added that persimmon was an organic fruit and it was more useful for human body than other types of fruits. `If government takes steps to search out foreign markets for persimmon, then it would contribute more in revenue generation,` he said, adding thatowing to government`s negligence both country` revenue and growers of persimmon were suffering. Abid Ali, another farmer, said that they got a persimmon orchard on lease for the first time. He added that due to lack of facilities they were worried about their investment. `We have spent almost Rs1.6 million but we are worried about the profit, he added.