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SARGODHA, Jan 01 (APP): Commissioner Sargodha Division, Jehanzaib Awan on Thursday inaugurated the Chief Minister Punjab’s Citrus Rehabilitation Project, a major agricultural initiative launched under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) with an estimated cost of Rs 1.43 billion.
According to the spokesperson for the Commissioner’s office here, under the project, citrus orchards will be rehabilitated on modern scientific lines across 652,000 acres throughout Punjab. Sargodha district has the largest share, with more than 260,000 acres currently under rehabilitation.
Director Citrus Research Institute, Akbar Hayat, briefed the commissioner on the objectives, value addition initiatives, introduction of new varieties and overall progress of the project.
He informed that due to improved practices and research-based interventions, a bumper kinnow crop has been achieved this year. “The share of A-grade kinnow has increased to nearly 50 percent, compared to 20–25 percent last year, resulting in a significant rise in exports”, he added.
The briefing further highlighted that 14 new citrus varieties have been introduced under the project to support value addition and ensure year-round availability of different citrus varieties.
The commissioner also visited the screen house, where he was informed that a new citrus station is being established in Toba Tek Singh under the same initiative.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner said that the Citrus Rehabilitation Initiative would not only increase farmers’ income but also strengthen Punjab’s agricultural exports.
He interacted with 83 agricultural graduates recruited for three years under the project and reviewed their assigned responsibilities.
Director Agriculture Shahid Hussain, ADC Headquarters Majid bin Ahmed, Managing Director Horticulture Authority Muhammad Arshad, and other officers of the Citrus Research Institute were also present at the event.