The flavorful and colorful two-day Sargodha Citrus Fest brought as many as 45 varieties of citrus to Islamabad all the way from Sargodha.
The festival, which is a collaborative effort by the University of Sargodha and COMSTECH, kicked off at the COMSTECH office in Islamabad on January 23, 2024. COMSTECH is the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation and is hosted by Pakistan.
Sargodha Citrus Fest 🍊
Inaugurated by the esteemed Vice Chancellor of the University of Sargodha, Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas, the event marked a massive citrus exhibition and celebration of its kind in Islamabad.
Prof. Abbas warmly welcomed participants, highlighting the University’s distinctive position as one with faculties in medicine and agriculture.
Emphasizing the unique project focusing on the scientific properties of citrus fruit, Prof. Abbas showcased the diversity by displaying 45 varieties in today’s exhibition. He pledged to expand the array and bring more citrus varieties next year, underscoring the need to harness the potential of citrus beyond its fruit form for export.
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH, acknowledged the University of Sargodha‘s crucial role in the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence. Highlighting the nutritional significance of citrus and commended the university’s initiative to explore its medicinal properties.
He also informed the participants about COMSTECH’s establishment of a citrus processing unit in Nigeria.
Prof. Dr. Irfan Ullah, a citrus fruit expert, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the nutritional importance of citrus fruit. Addressing challenges faced by farmers in cultivation, he also proposed solutions. Dr Irfan recommended establishing a citrus market, an expo center, and a dry port to facilitate export.
International Representation at Citrus Fest
Ambassadors and diplomats from Sudan, Yemen, Iran, Azerbaijan, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Kenya, and Russia also graced the inaugural ceremony, highlighting the international significance of the event.
The Sargodha Citrus Fest not only serves as a celebration of Pakistan’s citrus diversity but also underscores the collaborative efforts of academic and international communities in exploring the untapped potential of this magic fruit. As the event unfolds over two days, it promises to be a fruitful exchange of knowledge, and ideas, and a showcase of the vibrant citrus landscape of Pakistan.