 Acting Australian High Commissioner Jurek Juszczyk said that development of agriculture was necessary for the economic growth and his country has been training Pakistani farmers in managing the citrus fruit to make it profitable for the farmers.
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), he said that the agriculture scientists of Pakistan and Australia would continue to cooperate with each other for the development of the Agriculture sector.
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Chairman Dr Iftikhar Ahmad 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 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. He said that although the project was small but it had achieved good results during which knowledge and practices of Australia were transformed to Pakistan for crop management.
Speaking on the occasion, project leader Dr Tahir Khurshid informed the participants about the details of the project. In Pakistan, manpower has been provided training in fruit thinning, irrigation practices, nutrition and commercialisation, he said. He said that the project has helped increase the income of the farmers.
Source: AAP
