North America Edition
Due to a hailstorm, Khanpur farmers are facing a drop in citrus fruits yield this year. Every year between December and February, the Panj Katha area near Khanpur becomes the destination of the citrus lovers, but this year high prices disappoint them and they are returning empty-handed.
Although the much awaited famous red blood oranges of Khanpur have finally ripened and scores of makeshift kiosks have been set up along the Taxila-Khanpur road by local farmers, high cost has kept them unaffordable for fruit lovers. The local farmers attributed the high cost to a decline in this year's yield.
One farmer said that in November, a hailstorm hit the valley twice, which ruined the pulp which resulted in less production of oranges this year. Another farmer said the establishment of housing societies, government installations, unfavorable weather and ecosystems, besides a drop in soil fertility, had resulted in a decrease in the fruit orchards in the area.
Source: dawn.com
