Under the guidance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan is implementing a program with an investment of approximately $5.4 million (Rs1.2 billion) to boost citrus production and exports. The Punjab province, under the leadership of Minister for Agriculture & Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, earns around $185 million annually from citrus exports, a figure they aim to increase. The program includes the establishment of a Citrus Research Institute in Toba Tek Singh and a Citrus Research Centre in Layyah as part of the Chief Minister's Farmers' Package, with a focus on establishing certified citrus nurseries and enhancing production and export capabilities.
The initiative also involves a three-year Citrus Rehabilitation Programme that leverages modern agricultural technologies for producing certified citrus plants and providing technical support to farmers, aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on citrus production. Efforts are being made to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the functionality of the Citrus Research Institute in Sargodha, including the introduction of improved seed varieties and new cultivation techniques. Secretary of Agriculture, Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring the availability of high-quality, cost-effective citrus plants and controlling diseases to maximize yields. The plan also includes the development of modern citrus orchards and processing units in collaboration with private institutions to support farmers and improve citrus fruit quality and production.
Source: The News