undreds of people thronged to the outskirts of Taxila to enjoy a Citrus Festival arranged to encourage agricultural tourism. The festival was organised by the Gandhara Resource Centre Pakistan, with the aim of promoting the region’s famous Khanpur citrus.

Khanpur is an area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adjacent to Taxila known because of its special citrus variety (Red Blood) among others. This was third edition of the festival presenting a blend of agriculture, art and culture.

The festival began as an initiative led by Nadeem Omar Tarar, executive director of the Centre for Culture and Development and his partners. It has grown to become a cornerstone of Taxila’s agricultural and cultural identity.

“It is a great festival highlighting the value of the region’s citrus produce,” Aga Jan, a teacher who came with his family to attend the festivity, told The News on Sunday. The activity highlighted both the challenges and the potential of local agricultural industry.

However, many people complained of overpricing at some food stalls showcasing organic food and other items.

Another focus of the festival was preservation of Taxila’s heritage and the significance of citrus farming in the region. The forum also discussed challenges such as water scarcity, poor crop yields and market access.

“Governments must take serious actions to protect this cultural heritage. It is now facing threats from the real estate boom. We keep hearing of big citrus orchards and fertile land being converted into residential colonies,” said Suhail Khan, a local farmer.

The objective of the festival was to promote agricultural tourism. “Today the world is moving towards agri-tourism. It is important for farmers to discuss the challenges associated with this development and work out a solution,” said Sara Mehmood, one of the organisers.

“The aim is to create and share opportunities and highlight importance of the local citrus. We hope that this will create new business opportunities.” Khanpur and Haripur area is historically known because of its famous citrus. The initiative of First Gandhara Citrus Festival in 2023 originally spearheaded by Ms Mehmood in collaboration with the Agri Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan under the leadership of CEO Tariq Tanveer, began in 2023. Since its inception, the festival has grown tremendously, fostering economic growth, community engagement and cultural preservation.

This year the festival attracted more than 3,000 visitors from diverse backgrounds. The event played a role in promoting local citrus agriculture, cultural heritage and the craftsmanship of Taxila’s renowned stone artisans.

The writer is a staff member. He can be reached at vaqargillani@gmail.com