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SARGODHA, Nov 14 (APP):The Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha (UoS), in collaboration with the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) and the Citrus Research Institute (CRI), Organized a workshop titled “Citrus Harvest, Postharvest Handling and Export Readiness.”
The event aimed to discuss strategies to improve fruit quality, address pest and disease challenges and enhance Pakistan’s citrus export potential through efficient handling and logistics.
The workshop brought together citrus growers, researchers and industry professionals.
Speakers underlined the need to adopt updated citrus management practices and improved harvesting and post-harvest techniques to minimize fruit losses, maintain quality and meet international market requirements.
Prof. Dr. Rashad Mukhtar Bilal announced that the Department of Horticulture would begin providing true-to-type, disease-free citrus plants to farmers.
He said the initiative would promote the cultivation of high-quality citrus varieties, enhance farmers’ profitability and support the long-term development of the citrus sector.
He also stressed the importance of strong collaboration among academia, research institutions, and industry stakeholders to build a more resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive citrus sector in Pakistan.
In his remarks, Mr.Khawer from PHDEC reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting improved production and post-harvest practices to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international citrus markets.
Citrus growers from various regions actively participated in the session and highlighted field-level concerns, including pest infestations, post-harvest diseases and marketing challenges.
Experts addressed these issues by presenting practical solutions and underscoring integrated approaches to disease control, improved grading systems and better packaging practices.