Pakistan-China collaboration boosts citrus exports with eco-friendly pest control

September 23, 2025 (MLN): In the heart of Pakistan’s citrus belt, a pioneering collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani scientists is helping farmers overcome decades of crop losses and export rejections, signaling a potential turnaround for the country’s agricultural export economy

At the forefront of this effort is Dr. Shaukat Ali, Associate Professor at the Engineering Research Center of Biological Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University.

Through the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center for Integrated Citrus Pest Management, Dr. Ali is directly tackling the pest infestations and quality challenges that have long hindered Pakistan’s citrus exports.

“The single biggest challenge is the industry’s inability to meet strict international phytosanitary standards,” Dr. Ali told China Economic Net. “Shipments are often rejected due to endemic pests and diseases, trapping farmers in a cycle where they cannot access the markets needed to fund necessary improvements.”

Established in 2018 in partnership with the University of Sargodha, the research center exemplifies technology transfer under the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on sustainable, eco-friendly solutions tailored to local conditions.

With the support of a RMB one million grant from the Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Dr. Ali and his team have implemented integrated pest management (IPM) strategies showing tangible results.

These include yellow sticky traps, sex pheromones, LED light traps of specific wavelengths, mass release of natural insect enemies and biological pesticides.

“We’ve identified 134 species of ladybugs from 46 genera in Pakistan, including several previously unrecorded, along with numerous strains of insect pathogenic fungi,” Dr. Ali said. “This isn’t about importing solutions it’s about adapting knowledge and empowering local systems.”

Demonstration orchards in Sargodha District allow farmers to observe firsthand the benefits of reduced pesticide use, higher fruit quality, and better compliance with export standards.

The initiative has faced challenges, including differing pest behaviors, limited bio-agent production infrastructure, initial farmer skepticism and regulatory hurdles in exchanging biological samples.

However, collaboration with Pakistani academic institutions and ministries has led to the establishment of local insectaries and supportive policies. Clear economic benefits and side-by-side field comparisons have helped win over growers.

While Pakistan’s 2025 citrus harvest is expected to increase by 10-15% due to natural cycles, threats from Huanglongbing (HLB) and fruit flies remain obstacles to further growth.

Still, the partnership, led by experts like Dr. Ali, is laying the groundwork for long-term change building a self-sustaining ecological management system and strengthening the scientific capacity that could transform Pakistan’s citrus industry.

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