Successful Farmers’ Training on Citrus Orchard Management Held at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur

The Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Environment (FA&E ), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur successfully organized a comprehensive “Farmer’s Training on Citrus Orchard Management” on May 18, 2026 at the Video Conference Room, Khawaja Fareed Auditorium, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus, IUB. The training program attracted a large number of citrus growers, progressive farmers, students, researchers, and stakeholders from different regions of Punjab.

The event was graced by distinguished guests including Rana Muhammad Tariq Khan, MPA and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning & Development, who attended as Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Dean FA&E, and Dr. Mamoon Rashid a progressive grower and businessman from district Lodhran. The inaugural session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat-e-Rasool (SAW), followed by a welcome address delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nafees, Chairman, Department of Horticultural Sciences. In his address, he welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of citrus production in Pakistan’s economy and emphasized the need for adopting modern orchard management practices to improve productivity and fruit quality.

Dr. Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Associate Professor of Horticulture and Training Coordinator, introduced the objectives of the training program and discussed the current challenges faced by citrus growers in Pakistan. He explained that climate change, improper nutrition management, pest infestations, fruit drop, and water scarcity are among the major issues affecting citrus production. He emphasized that the purpose of the training was to provide practical and research-based solutions directly to farmers.

During the technical sessions, experts delivered detailed presentations on modern irrigation techniques, citrus nutrition management, pruning and training of citrus plants, fruit drop management, and integrated management of citrus insects and diseases. Mr. Irfan Nawaz, Manager Horticulture at Jaffer Agro Services, shared practical field experiences regarding efficient irrigation and orchard management practices. Dr. Muhammad Azher Nawaz and Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed provided scientific guidance regarding pruning techniques, balanced fertilization, disease diagnosis, and sustainable citrus production systems. A highly interactive focused group discussion and question-answer session remained one of the major highlights of the event. The role of the Training Coordinator, Dr. Muhammad Azher Nawaz, remained highly commendable throughout the event. He effectively coordinated all training activities, technical sessions, participant engagement, and interaction between farmers and experts.

Addressing the gathering, Rana Muhammad Tariq Khan appreciated the efforts of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur for organizing such an important training initiative for the citrus growers of the region. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration between universities, researchers, and farmers to strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods. He advised that IUB should involve the private sector and do need based collaborative research work, similarly he suggested improving liaison with the industry and Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahawalpur.

At the conclusion of the program, certificates were distributed among the participants. Farmers expressed great satisfaction over the quality of the training and requested the university to continue organizing similar practical training programs in the future. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Dean FA&E, who appreciated the organizers, trainers, guests, and farmers for their active participation and contribution toward the success of the training program.