SARGODHA: Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) organized a comprehensive workshop in Sargodha titled “Enhancing Citrus Quality and Export Competitiveness: Harvest and Post-harvest Management and Efficient Logistics Solutions.”
Sargodha, known as the citrus capital of Pakistan, plays a vital role in the country’s horticultural economy. Pakistan produces approximately 2.4 million metric tons of citrus annually, primarily kinnow, making it the leading fruit crop by volume and a key contributor to Pakistan’s fruit exports.
With citrus exports set to begin by December 1, 2025, the workshop was strategically planned to prepare growers, exporters, and value chain actors for the upcoming season, focusing on improving quality, logistics efficiency, and export compliance.
The workshop brought together growers, exporters, researchers, logistics providers, and trade diplomats to discuss practical measures for enhancing harvest and post-harvest management, pest control, and cold chain logistics—key factors in maintaining export-quality citrus. Experts from the Citrus Research Institute (CRI), Sargodha, delivered in-depth presentations on proper harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques.
Dr Rashad Mukhtar, Chairman of the Department of Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, informed participants that the college maintains a germplasm collection of over 95 citrus cultivars, including exotic and improved varieties.
He offered certified nursery plants to farmers at nominal prices and emphasized the need for institutional collaboration between PHDEC, CRI, and academia to revitalize citrus production in the Sargodha region.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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