Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Energy, Industries, Commerce, Investment and Skill Development S.M. Tanveer has stated that the government is devising a strategy to boost citrus production in line with international standards. This strategy will also address issues related to seed quality, nursery management, disease control, and pest management, all aimed at satisfying local demands and generating foreign exchange. According to Tanveer, sustainable agricultural development is the government’s foremost priority.
He said the formation of the Citrus Action Plan Committee, led by UAF VC Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, would tackle citrus-related challenges. He said the collaborative efforts among agricultural experts, academia, industry, and policymakers can ensure food security. He said agricultural institutions were meeting the ever-growing population’s agricultural needs.
Pakistan’s citrus production was 10.2 tons per hectare in 1970 and has risen to 11.6 tons per hectare in 2021. In comparison, China’s citrus production was 2.29 tons per hectare in 1970 and reached 15.3 tons per hectare in 2021, while Brazil’s production was 15 tons per hectare in 1970 and 27.1 tons per hectare in 2021.
