Tangy boost: Citrus production improves as new investors jump in

Major producer: 70% is the contribution made by Sargodha alone in the total citrus production.

SARGODHA: 

The current season seems to be one of the best for citrus cultivation as advanced farming techniques have been introduced and new investors have jumped in, giving a significant boost to production.

Pakistan is one of the top 10 citrus producing countries in the world and it is one of the major fruits exported from the country. Punjab dominates the national horizon, contributing 90% to the total production.

In the province, Sargodha alone produces 70% of the total output. Citrus produced in the city is considered the best variety in the world and has great demand in international markets.

Sargodha is the largest producer of Citrus Reticula called kinnow, a unique variety produced in this part of the world.

Though the output has improved this year, it comes after a decline over the past couple of years.

“Citrus production had been decreasing for the last couple of years due to pest and disease attacks,” said Amjad Ali, an expert in Sargodha, while talking to The Express Tribune. “Farmers could not be able to control diseases, which caused them heavy losses.”

The production fell in the absence of state-of-the-art technology, application of fake pesticides and black-marketing of fertilisers.

However, unlike the past, this year the citrus crop has remained good due to availability of pesticides and fertilisers at the right time and entry of many new investors. The new players have taken citrus farms on contract and are capable of buying good-quality pesticides and ensuring timely purchase of fertilisers.

“We have the best variety of citrus in the world. This year, the production and quality of the crop are good and it will prove to be the best for exporters,” said JM Exports Chief Executive Officer Rao Usman Ali.

Major export markets of Pakistan are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), other Middle Eastern countries, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Russia.

Ali pointed out that the farmers had not the required resources to ensure purchase of fertilisers at the right time, which compounded quality problems and prolonged disease attacks. Now, he added, citrus processing plants were meeting international market standards and would be able to step up export of the fruit.