ASMA RAZAQ

ISLAMABAD (June 19 2008): Pakistan may succeed in getting first production of seedless kinnows by 2011, an official of Food Ministry told Business Recorder here on Wednesday. Pakistani kinnows, containing 20-25 seeds each, is favoured less as compared to the kinnows from other countries with no more than 5-7 seeds.

Pakistan produces 95 percent of total world kinnow production. It is the sixth largest producer of Kinow (mandarin) and oranges in the world, with 2.1 million tons. It is being estimated that the country may have a record export of 0.2 million tons of kinnows this year. Kinnow exports were not flourishing in the past 3-4 years due to mismanagement.

"The plants of seedless kinnows are produced through 'tissue culture' and the government has sold 0.1 million saplings to the growers so far. Almost 300-400 saplings of seedless kinnows are being sold every day", the official said. These plants are expensive as compared to the kinnow saplings with seeds. "A plant of seedless kinnows costs Rs 100 as opposed to Rs 20 for the one with seeds", the official explained.


Courtesy Business Recorder