According to the Municipal Department of Agriculture on June 23, after reviewing the flowering stage and yield prediction, citrus institutes of Yichang at counties and urban levels has estimated that the total citrus yield will surpass 3 million tons this year, a rise of 9% of last year. The production is divided into 2.074 million tons of mandarin, 443,000 tons of orange, 449,000 tons of Ponkan, and some other hybrid citrus and 44,000 tons of pomelo.

　　Since last winter and this spring, there is no scorching or extreme cold weather, though many rainy days indeed. Therefore, the flowering stage of this year is 5 days longer than last year. Meanwhile, the moderate temperature and the rainwater benefit the development of floral organ and increase the fruit setting rate. In addition, the quantity of flowers is above the average level, and the quality is good. All the investigations show that flower trees and flowery trees dominate occupies the larger portion of the citrus trees--- in Yiling District: they account for 65%; in Yidu District, they increase by 5% and reach 90%; in Zigui County, they account for 76%, keeping the same number as last year and gaining the features of large leaves, flowers and stems which actually are increased by 7%-10% than last year; and other producing areas all keep the same rate. On the whole, the yield is expected to keep high and the growth of the citrus reticulate will be greater than oranges.

　　The municipal agricultural specialist introduces that Yichang has strengthened the construction of the standard orchards, has improved the management of most orchards, and has increased the fruiting area. It is estimated that the operational areas of the new standard orchards would have reached to 3,333.3 hectares.  (Reporter: Zhao Wei, Correspondent: Jiang Yuemei)