Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan has said that reduction of citrus exports from $300 million to $100 million was matter of grave concern.
This was stated by him while presiding over a workshop for citrus farmers organized by UAF, Department of Agriculture Punjab Government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and Federal Ministry for Food Security at Chak No. 332 GB PirMahal 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 the passage of 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 partnership.
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. IshtiaqRajwana said that agricultural prosperity can be ensured by strengthening the relationship among farmers and agricultural experts.
Secretary Board of Revenue ShafqatullahMushtaq 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.
