In Pakistan's main citrus-producing region, cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani scientists is addressing long-standing pest and quality issues that have restricted export growth.
Dr Shaukat Ali, Associate Professor at the Engineering Research Centre of Biological Control, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, is leading work through the China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre for Integrated Citrus Pests Management. "The single biggest challenge is the industry's inability to meet strict international phytosanitary standards," Ali told China Economic Net. "Shipments are frequently rejected due to endemic pests and diseases – this has trapped farmers in a cycle where they cannot access markets that would fund the very improvements they need."
The centre was established in 2018 with the University of Sargodha under the Belt and Road Initiative. Its focus is on integrated and sustainable pest management practices adapted to local conditions. Backed by a grant of one million renminbi (about US$137,000) from the Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Ali and his team have introduced control measures including yellow sticky traps, LED light traps with specific wavelengths, mass release of natural enemies, and biological pesticides.
Demonstration orchards have been established across Sargodha district to show farmers the impact of reduced pesticide use, improved fruit quality, and compliance with export standards.
Implementation faced challenges at the start. Variations in pest behaviour, lack of infrastructure for producing bio-agents, and initial farmer scepticism slowed adoption. Regulatory hurdles also complicated the exchange of biological samples across borders. Collaboration with Pakistani universities and ministries has since enabled the establishment of local insectaries and pushed for policy adjustments. According to the project team, demonstrating clear economic benefits eventually encouraged grower participation.
Source: The Express Tribune