Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad on Wednesday said that following the government’s slogan “Trade not Aid”, the council in collaboration with various national and international organisations has been striving to promote export quality production of fruits.
He was addressing a seminar on “The Enhancement of Citrus Value Chains Production in Pakistan and Australia through Improved Orchard Management Practices Project” at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).
Dr. Iftikhar said that poor orchard and nursery practices, unreliable supply of certified seed and inefficient production, irrigation and pest and disease management practices have been the challenges faced by citrus sector of the country. He said that although the project was small, it had achieved good results. During this time the knowledge and practices of Australia were transferred to Pakistan for crop management.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting Australian High Commissioner, Jurek Juszczyk, said that development of agriculture was necessary for the economic growth. He said that Australia has been training Pakistani farmers in managing citrus fruit to make it profitable for the farmers. He said that the agriculture scientists of Pakistan and Australia would continue to cooperate with each other for the development of Agriculture sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Project Leader Dr. Tahir Khurshid informed the participants about the details of the project. He said that thousands of manpower in Pakistan has been provided training in fruit thinning, irrigation practices, nutrition and commercialization. He said that the project has helped increase the income of the farmers.
