KARACHI:
The Punjab government has announced a transformative investment of Rs1.5 billion to modernise and revitalise the citrus industry, Pakistan’s leading horticultural export sector, according to the Pakistan Fruits and Vegetables Exporters Association (PFVA).
The key elements of the citrus industry transformation project include the establishment of disease-free citrus nurseries with a capacity of producing one million plants annually, importing new citrus varieties to diversify the industry, and creating high-density demonstration orchards equipped with modern irrigation systems.
Mobile soil and water testing units will also be introduced, while large tracts of land will be leased to investors for setting up state-of-the-art orchards. The PFVA’s roadmap highlights the urgent need to address the impact of climate change by introducing modern farming practices and resilient citrus varieties.
PFVA Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said, “The citrus industry is Pakistan’s number one horticulture exporter, but climate change and outdated varieties are putting it at risk. The PFVA’s recommendations have laid the foundation for this transformative initiative by the Punjab government.”
The project also consists of certified private service providers for specialised orchards and the development of a citrus quality leadership programme.
This programme will incentivise farmers to produce export-grade fruit while enhancing Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
A modern pesticide residue testing laboratory, in collaboration with international partners, will ensure compliance with global standards, while a comprehensive international market research study will explore trends and opportunities for Pakistan’s citrus exports.
A PFVA delegation, led by Waheed Ahmed, is set to meet the Punjab minister for agriculture and agricultural secretary to discuss the project’s implementation.
“This investment reflects the Punjab government’s commitment to safeguarding our citrus industry’s future and mitigating the effects of climate change on this vital sector,” Ahmed said.
The initiative is not only expected to revive the citrus sector but also strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global horticulture market, ensuring long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
Meanwhile, this groundbreaking initiative stems from the detailed recommendations made by the PFVA, whose efforts have brought much-needed attention to the challenges being faced by the citrus sector, including climate change and outdated farming practices.
