University of Agriculture Faisalabad's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, has raised the alarm over the significant slump in citrus exports, from $300 million to $100 million. He shared these concerns during a recent citrus farmers' workshop.
Dr. Khan emphasized on UAF's efforts to boost citrus production and address farmers' challenges. He highlighted the global preference for seedless citrus and the need for certified seed nurseries for the resurgence of Pakistan's citrus industry. Furthermore, he advocated for the development of a modern nursery mechanism through industry-public partnerships.
According to Dr. Khan, reviving existing citrus orchards will take time, necessitating a business model involving banks to support farmers until harvest. He also proposed the creation of citrus variety clusters. Meanwhile, Dr. Ishtiaq Rajwana, Vice Chancellor, Agricultural University, Multan, stressed the importance of strengthening farmer-expert relationships for agricultural prosperity.
Source: brecorder.com