FAISALABAD: Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan has said that the reduction in citrus exports from $300 million to $100 million was a matter of grave concern.
This was stated by him while presiding over a workshop for citrus farmers organized by UAF, the Department of Agriculture Punjab Government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, and the Federal Ministry for Food Security at Chak No. 332 GB Pir Mahal on Sunday.
Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the UAF was making all-out efforts to increase citrus production and solve the problems faced by farmers. He said that seedless citrus is favored around the world. He said with time, citrus has faced various diseases which affected our citrus production badly. He said that the establishment of certified seed nurseries is the need of the hour for the revival of citrus in Pakistan. He said that we have to develop modern nursery mechanisms with industry-public partnerships.
The VC UAF said that the restoration of the existing citrus orchards needs time. He said that a business model should be brought forward for the orchards with banks so that the farmers can run their circle until the fruits come. He said that clusters of different varieties of citrus should be made.
Vice Chancellor, Agricultural University Multan, Dr. Ishtiaq Rajwana said that agricultural prosperity can be ensured by strengthening the relationship among farmers and agricultural experts.
Secretary Board of Revenue Shafqatullah Mushtaq said that in the history of Sandal Bar, the village 332 G.B Jakhra was the first settled area in 1892. He lauded the efforts of the Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan for strengthening farmers and scientists’ ties. Former Director General Extension Punjab Dr. Anjum Ali Bhuttar said that all possible steps are being taken to make citrus more profitable. As many as 500 nurseries are registered in Punjab.
Director Extension Faisalabad Chaudhry Abdul Hameed said that due to lack of potash, the quality of citrus is affected in Toba Tek Singh is being affected. Dr. Jafar Jaskani said that Pakistan is the 15th largest country in the world in terms of citrus production. After Sargodha Toba Tek Singh was the leader in the production of Kinnow.
Dean Faculty of Animal husbandry Prof. Dr. Qamar Bilal, Principal Officer PRP Prof. Dr. Jalal Arif, Director Horticulture Agriculture University Dr. Ahmed Sattar, Principal Toba Tek Singh Sub Campus Dr. Zia-ul-Rehman, Dr. Usman, Dr. Muhammad Azam, Dr. Aoun, Dr. Naeem from KPK and others attended the workshop.
