SARGODHA: Growers expressing concern over violation of kinnow rates by the processors, factory owners and exporters urged district administration to ensure compliance of already decided Rs 800 rate of per 40 kg kinnow.
They said that Rs 800 rates of 40 Kg kinnow has already been decided by the Kinnow growers association and Processors, exporters in presence of Deputy Commissioner Sargodha Liaqat Ali Chatha.
The instructions of District administration were being violated and factory owners were ready to pay rates of 40 kg kinnow at their own due to their monopoly in the market, A grower Qasim said.
A largest kinnow market was contributing a lot in the national exchequer through kinnow export while growers were being deprived with their due rights, he said and added that compliance of DC rates should be ensured.
The growers were forced to remove their orchards due to heavy expenses in orchard and lesser rates of their production and urged government to take up the matter on priority basis for providing relief among farmers.
A factory owner said all out efforts were being made to provide maximum rate of kinnow to the growers and it depends on international market rates. The official of District Administration said that growers’ rights would be protected at any cost and hoped that problem would be resolved soon.
The Director Citrus research Institute Sargoodha (CRIS) Nawaz Maiken said all out efforts were being made to enhance the kinnow quality and its exports for which reasonable rates should be provided to the growers.