ISLAMABAD (February 09 2004): About 2 million tonnes of citrus fruits is produced annually across the country, said Senior Scientific Officer, National Agricultural Development Center, Dr Hafeez-ur-Rehman.

Stressing the need for concerted efforts to enhance the production of fruits, he said, "We can produce every kind of fruit in the country round the year," as Pakistan has a very favourable climate.

He said, only Punjab province produces 1,900,000 tonnes of citrus fruit annually.

The research centers were playing very vital role in the production of all types of crops, he said while speaking in a PTV programme.

He said the research centers advise farmers at the time of sowing seeds, about quantity of water, spray and other procedure to acquire better yield.

He said research work was underway to introduce new varieties of 'Kinno' and hoped that a seedless kind of Kinno would soon be introduced.

He added that 0 to 7 seeds in a Kinno was considered as seedless in the international markets.

Dr Hafeez-ur-Rehman said research was also being carried out to reduce the cost of production to enable farmers to compete in international markets.

He also advised the farmers to keep their farms healthy by using appropriate brand and quantity of fertilisers to get ideal production.

Courtesy Business Recorder