FAISALABAD, Nov 18: The Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) will help the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) establish a virus-free citrus fruits nursery to enhance their shelf life.

The decision was taken in a meeting between a three-member ACIAR delegation led by Dr Christian Roth, who is research programme manager of the centre, and UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmed here on Tuesday.

The Australian centre has been working with UAF’s Institute of Horticulture Sciences and Water Management Research Centre in the field of horticulture, agri-marketting and livestock productivity.

Members of the visiting delegation said climatic similarities would help Pakistani scientists carry out research on agricultural issues to serve their university and their country as well.

They said keeping in view the scarcity of water in Pakistan, UAF students and scientists could introduce less-water consuming traditional and non-traditional crops.

Dr Rooth said patronising citrus fruits, including mango, would pass on benefits of agriculture development and prosperity to masses.

The poverty could also be arrested through rural development and improvement of marketing sector, he added.

Dr Iqrar said the institution had been working on food security and water shortage threats.

The VC said growth of wheat, livestock and horticulture would steer the country out of major crises.

He appreciated the ACIAR for helping the UAF establish virus-free citrus nursery.

Faculty of agriculture dean Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, animal husbandry dean Dr M Younis, rural sociology and agri-economy dean Dr Iqbal Zafar and others were also present.