Festival celebrates Taxila's cultural heritage

Features discussions on water scarcity, market access and land preservation

ISLAMABAD:

The third edition of the Citrus Festival kicked off in Taxila, blending agriculture, art, and culture to spotlight the region's rich agricultural heritage and the pressing challenges faced by citrus farmers. The event, organised by the Gandhara Resource Centre Pakistan (GRCP), was launched by Team Leader Sarah Mehmood, who welcomed participants from various sectors to celebrate the festival's growing success since its inception in 2023.

In her opening speech, Mehmood highlighted that the festival, originally launched by Nadeem Omar Tarar, Executive Director of the Center for Culture and Development (C2D), has become a cornerstone of Taxila's agricultural and cultural identity. "The Taxila and Gandhara heritage, along with the agricultural legacy of Haripur, are key pillars of our identity," said Mehmood. "This festival not only celebrates the citrus industry but also brings attention to the challenges farmers face today."

A central theme of the festival was the preservation of Taxila's heritage, particularly its citrus farming, which has long been a vital part of the region. Haripur, once known for its extensive citrus orchards, now faces growing threats from expanding housing societies. This year's festival aimed to raise awareness about the ecological importance of preserving these farmlands. The event also provided a platform for farmers to discuss key issues such as water scarcity, poor crop yields, and market access.

Chief Guest Yousaf Ayub Khan, former Member of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, commended the festival's role in preserving agricultural heritage while condemning the encroachment of housing societies on farmland. Khan also referenced the work of British Army officer Col Wacefield, who introduced citrus farming to the region in the 1930s, and called for stronger policies to protect agricultural land from real estate development.

Dr Waseem, an expert in citrus cultivation, shared insights into the industry's growth, noting that citrus is now a major export product, particularly to the Middle East. However, he emphasised challenges like reduced water supply during peak months and the impact of chemical fertilisers on fruit quality. "We are developing a state-of-the-art nursery with 10 citrus varieties to sustain our orchards and focus on value-added initiatives to help farmers maximize their yields," Dr Waseem explained.