LAHORE: The Punjab government is mulling to give a special package of Rs 11 billion for citrus farmers to give them the latest machinery.
This was stated by Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr Farrukh Javed, while presiding over a departmental meeting after visiting various citrus farms in Sargodha. Agriculture Extension Director General Dr Anjum Ali, Citrus Research Institute Director Altaf ur Rehman and other officers of departments concerned were also present in the meeting.
Dr Farrukh said that the relief package will help them maximise their yield and Pakistan’s export will increase resultantly. He said that Punjab is producing 1.9 million metric ton of citrus annually out of which more than 50 percent comes from Sargodha district. He said that around 0.35 million metric ton citrus was exported last year. The minister stressed that the increase in production and exports is essential for stability and growth of the economy.
The agriculture minister stressed that all possible measures to be taken for increase in citrus production and exports. He was briefed that 17% of the total national fruit production is born in Sargodha. However, Sargodha has a share of 45 % in terms of national fruit exports. Every year, 1 to 1.3 million ton high quality citrus is produced in Sargodha.
