MANSEHRA, June 8: The application of modern horticultural technology can enhance fruit production in the Mansehra district.

This was said by participants of a two-day-long workshop on ‘Best Management Practices to Improve Productivity in Fruit Orchards.’

The workshop, held at the Mansehra Press Club, was organised by the provincial agriculture department in collaboration with the Small and Medium-scale Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda).

Focussing on various aspects of fruit production, participants of the workshop said that the Mansehra region’s climate ranged between temperate to sub-tropical, which suited cultivating fruit plants.

Speakers included Smeda’s regional manager Mohammad Tariq and M. Iqbal, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board.

Highlighting the need for exploiting the region’s potential for fruit orchard, they said it would help create jobs and help generate income for the local people. They also spoke about controlling the occurrence of insects and pest diseases in the local fruit orchards.