Improving citrus nursery production practices in Pakistan under an Australian aid program

Citrus is a key horticultural crop in Pakistan. Improvement of citrus nursery production practices was identified as important for future development of the citrus industry in Pakistan. A citrus project was funded by Australian Aid under the Australia Pakistan Agriculture Sector Linkages Program managed by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. During the course of the project, Australian and Pakistani collaborators have worked together to establish model screen houses for the production of high health status citrus germplasm of new and existing citrus cultivars. Practical nursery management training has also been delivered to researchers, service providers and commercial citrus nurserymen in Pakistan. Adoption of practical, low-cost changes has led to improved production and economic gains in selected nurseries.