2-Day Seminar on “New Challenges of Insects on Citrus Plant”

Sudden Death of Citrus and new challenges of insects on citrus plants have threatened to minimize yield potential of country’s best exportable fruit. This was stated by Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Faisalabad while delivering his presidential address to the participants of 2-Day Seminar on “New Challenges of Insects on Citrus Plant” organized by Department of Agricultural Entomology here on Friday Morning in New Senate Hall. Dr. Iqrar urged the need for disease & virus free sanitation nursery mechanism in order to replace traditionally grown plants with certified citrus plants. He added that Pakistan depends much on agricultural commodities particularly fruits, vegetables and cut-flowers as best exportable articles to occupy International Market. He said that these articles have attracted investors from all over the World. UAF Vice Chancellor said that Citrus and Mangoes have fascinated diaspora stretching from Australia to Middle-East in the Past and will remain on demand in future as well. He added that the Citrus especially Kinnow mandarin produced in Pakistan doubtlessly has been engrossed in many agreements with Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Middle East. He further said that WTO has placed numerous challenges as well as created opportunities for agricultural exports. Mister Muzammil Sultan, president Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FCCI) urged the need for collaboration of various stake holders particularly industrialists and traders with HRD organizations in order to exploit maximum export potential of World’s best stuff of fruits and vegetables grown in Pakistan. He added that in the International trade arena, the issues of marketing with established quality and standards have become more pronounced and complicated. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Dean Faculty of Agriculture said that Pakistan has more than 20 agro ecological zones having potential to grow more than 500 crops but unfortunately only 35 crops are being grown in the Country. he added that our farming community has never grown citrus as a primary crop resultantly due to mix intercropping practices citrus production is being decreased. Prof. Dr. Anjum Sohail, Chairman Department of Entomology said that the standards required in the trade include pre and post-harvest indicator pesticides residues, blemishes and warts severely impede the citrus export particularly to EU markets. Director Horticulture Punjab, Mr. M. Asif Khan while referring the importance of diseases and insect pests reiterated that about 60 years ago there were no citrus diseases but now 30 economically important viruses and diseases have been recognized World-wide. Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmad said that most of virus, like diseases are common in nursery and orchards which are being transmitted through grafting or insects. He maintained that citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) greening and canker are blatant examples of insect transmitted diseases which are needed to be identify and controlled. Mr. Riaz Mehmood and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.