ISLAMABAD (January 15 2004): About 2 million tonnes citrus fruit is produced annually across the country, said Senior Scientific Officer, National Agricultural Development Centre, Dr Hafeez-ur-Rehman on Wednesday.

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

The research centres were playing very vital role in the production of all types of crops, he said while speaking in PTV programme 'News Morning'.

He said that the research centres advise farmers at the time of sowing seeds, about quantity of water, spray and so many other things to acquire better yield.

Hafeez-ur-Rehman said that the research work was underway to introduce new varieties of 'Kinno' and hoped that a seedless kind of Kinno would soon be introduced.

The Senior Scientific Officer said that the 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