Punjab Horticulture Department is all set to organize two-day citrus show in the Citrus Estate, Abohar on January 22 and 23...

CHANDIGARH, JANUARY 17:  The Punjab Horticulture Department is all set to organize two-day citrus show in the Citrus Estate, Abohar on January 22 and 23 with a view to boosting the crop diversification in the state. Disclosing this here today Special Secretary & Director Horticulture Sibin C said that the entries comprising the fresh fruits of different citrus varieties as well as different citrus products would be displayed on the first day of show.

He said that after on the spot registration, any government organization and citrus grower could participate in the competition. He said that approximately 5000 entries are expected for the participation in the show. Judging of these entries will be done on the same day by the experts of PAU and prizes will be given for the best fruits among the different varietal categories.

Technical session would take place on 23rd January, 2019 wherein, lectures on citrus cultivation and diversification would be delivered by the experts from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana followed by question answer session, he added. Gurdaspur Member Parliament Sunil Jakhar will inaugurate the show. Pertinently, fruits are occupying an area of approx 83000 hectare presently out of which nearly 66 percent area is under citrus cultivation.

To promote citrus cultivation in Punjab, five citrus estates have already been established in Natural Growing Areas of citrus in Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Hoshiarpur districts, wherein world class facilities are also being provided to the citrus growers under one roof. Further, to diversify the citrus cultivation, efforts are being made by introducing new sweet orange and mandarin varieties in consultation with Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.