Future of Citrus Hinges on Climate-Smart Solutions, Experts Stress at UAF

FAISALABAD: Experts have stressed the urgent need to adopt climate-smart citrus production practices to address the growing challenges faced by the citrus sector due to climate change. They expressed these views while speaking at an international seminar titled “Future of Citrus Production in the Context of Climate Change” held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
The seminar was jointly organized by the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, UAF; China-Pakistan Horticulture Research and Demonstration Centre; Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan; the China-Pakistan Belt and Road Joint Laboratory; Citrus Research Institute Sargodha; and the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab, Peshawar.
Vice Chancellor UAF Professor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said citrus is one of Pakistan’s most important fruit crops, playing a vital role in agricultural growth, nutrition, and exports. He noted that climate change has severely affected citrus productivity, quality, and sustainability, making climate-smart agricultural practices more critical than ever. He emphasized strengthening research, innovation, and international collaboration to cope with environmental challenges, adding that the university is committed to promoting modern technologies, farmer training, and evidence-based policies to ensure sustainable citrus production.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Ghulam Murtaza appreciated the sharing of global experiences by international speakers and expressed hope that such seminars would help bridge the gap between research and practical farming, benefiting growers and the national economy.
Director Institute of Horticulture Dr Ahmad Sattar highlighted the need to enhance the export potential of citrus by adopting modern farming techniques, research-driven crop management, and climate-resilient strategies. Dr Yongzhong Liu from Huazhong Agricultural University, China, underlined the importance of scientific orchard management, stating that advanced technologies, improved varieties, and data-driven farming can significantly improve yield and fruit quality despite climatic stress.
Dr Sajjad from Texas A&M University, USA, said citrus farming offers substantial economic and nutritional benefits for farmers and rural communities. Dr Muhammad Azam stressed that climate-smart citrus production has become a necessity in view of rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Several other national and international experts, including Dr Muhammad Usman, Dr Adnan Younas, Dr Rai Muhammad Asif, Dr Samar Abbas Naqvi, Dr Rashid Wasim, and Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, also addressed the seminar, sharing insights on climate resilience and sustainable citrus production.