Punjab Agriculture Department Issues Guidelines for Kinnow Harvesting
— January 25, 2025
MULTAN (AIA) The Punjab Agriculture Department has released guidelines for the optimal harvesting and handling of kinnow, a major citrus crop in Pakistan.
Punjab dominates the country’s citrus production, accounting for 95% of the total output, with key cultivation areas including Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, and Bahawalpur.
Kinnow, the most extensively cultivated citrus fruit in Punjab, takes approximately 300 days to mature from flowering to harvest. The ideal harvesting period typically spans from late January to March.
According to the department, kinnow is ready for harvest when its skin turns completely yellow and the sweetness level reaches 10-12%. Farmers are advised to use pruning shears to carefully cut the fruit close to its stem during dry weather, avoiding improper methods that can damage the fruit and harm the tree.
The department emphasized the importance of proper harvesting techniques to maintain fruit quality, protect tree health, and ensure marketability. Farmers are urged to adhere to these guidelines to maximize yield and profitability.