Govt. of Pakistan

Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company
Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Pakistan

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Webinars

Good Agricultural Practices of Olives for High Yield and Good Quality

Todays webinar discussed olive production, prospects and challenges in Pakistan at length. Pakistan, which has a large area of land suitable for growing olives, has been producing olive oil since 2010 with the help of countries such as Italy and Spain. Currently, it produces about 1,500 tons of olive oil and 830 tons of table olives per year, all of which are consumed domestically. Pakistan has set a target of producing 16,000 tons of olive oil by 2027. The main areas fit for olive cultivation in Pakistan are Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Punjab. Pakistan has 10m acres of land suitable for olive cultivation, which is almost twice as much as Spain, the world’s largest olive oil producer. Keeping in view its importance there is a dire need to intervene on the matter.A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC’s initiative of conducting the webinar on an important topic of olive Production and challenges.

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Webinars

Good Agriculture Practice For Grapes For Good Quality and High Yield

In Pakistan, grapes are cultivated on 15,300 hectares with an annual production of around 88,000 tons whereas the Import tally reaches a staggering 100,800 tons. As per the data released by MNFSR Pakistan spends a whooping Rs. 11 billion on imports of Grapes per year. Majority of the grape cultivation in Pakistan is done in Quetta and Kalat areas of Balochistan province. Some of the varieties being cultivated in Pakistan give an average yield of 4 to 6 tons thus saving valuable foreign exchange. Experts from local Agriculture Department enlightened the audience on recommended Good Agriculture Practices of Grapes. A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia participated in the webinar.

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Webinars

Tomato Value-Addition in Pakistan in Webinar

The aim of todays webinar was the sensitization of relevant stakeholders on tomato production and prospects of tomato value-addition in Pakistan. Value-added products of tomato include pulp, juice, paste, puree, ketchup and soups. Postharvest loss is a major challenge hampering tomato production in most developing countries. Tomato being a perishable crop as a result of its high moisture content has a short shelf life of about 48 hours under tropical conditions. The speaker educated the participants on techniques to enhance the shelf-life of tomatoes which include pre-cooling, cleaning or disinfection, sorting & grading, and packaging.

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Webinars

Harvest & post-harvest handling techniques of Apple

(15th June, 2023), PHDEC conducted the webinar on the topic of ‘Harvest & post-harvest handling techniques of Apple.The aim of the webinar was to bring maximum of the stakeholders on board to discuss harvesting, post harvest handling, transportation, loading, unloading, & storages issues of apple to minimize the post harvest losses and availability of premium quality apple in domestic and high-end-market. The apple fruit is more sensitive and responsive towards mishandling and malpractices of harvesting and packaging. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the product and the importance of harvesting and handling for good quality and yield, PHDEC chose this time frame to educate the apple farmers/growers, key farm workers on the subject. The experts from the local agriculture department enlightened the small holders of apple on recommended harvesting, postharvest handling, and packing techniques.A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC’s initiative of conducting the webinar on an important topic of post-harvest management. Participants suggested that organizing physical activities would be more fruitful for stakeholders.

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Webinars

Opportunities for Economic Growth Through Value Addition of Date Fruit

Today (13th June, 2023), PHDEC conducted the webinar on the topic of “Opportunities for Economic Growth Through Value Addition of Date Fruit.” The aim of the webinar was to discuss and enlighten the growers/farmers/processors on the value-addition of date and the impact of value-addition on the economy by enhancing exports as Pakistan is the 5th largest date-producing country. Dr. Ahmad Din, Assistant Professor from the Department of Food Science and Technology University of Agriculture, Faisalabad gave a detailed presentation on Limitations for date palm cultivation and processing in Pakistan, value-addition of dates globally, value-added products like date paste, date halwa & date syrup, potential of value-addition, therapeutic properties of dates, regular monitoring and pesticide treatment, usage of drip irrigation in drought areas and affordable facilities based on advanced technologies etc. A large number of current and potential growers/farmers, R&D, entrepreneurs and academia participated in the webinar and valued the PHDEC’s initiative.

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Webinars

Good Agriculture Practices for High Yield of Ginger to substitute the Import Webinar

The aim of this webinar was to discuss and enlighten farmers on ginger cultivation and its economic viability in our local environment. Pakistan imports approximately 81,000 Metric Tons of ginger annually amounting to 112 Million USD.Mr. Amir Latif, Scientific Officer from Vegetable Research Institute, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad sensitized the participants on soil, planting material, irrigation & nutrition management, quality of pesticides/chemicals etc.Furthermore, the participants were updated on recent developments wherein the first ever ginger variety “AARI GINGER 2023” was registered by Punjab Seed Council in March 2023. The session concluded with a Q&A segment.A large number of current and potential farmers, R&D, entrepreneurs and academia participated in the webinar.

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Webinars

Value-Added products of Onion

(06 Jun, 2023), PHDEC conducted the webinar on the topic of “Value-added products of Onion”.The purpose of the webinar was to share the possible interventions for development of value-added products of onion. Target audiences of the webinar were processors, progressive growers, R&D and entrepreneurs from all over the country.Expert from Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, explained the scope & importance of value-added products of onion and suitable local verities for value-addition. The conclusion was made with strategies and plans for onion value-added products.Expert from Post-Harvest Research Centre, AARI, Faisalabad, stated that Post-harvest loss is a major challenge hampering onion production in most developing countries. He explained the complete process to develop the onion paste, flakes and powder from raw produce.A large number of processors, progressive growers, R&D, private companies and academia participated in the webinar and valued the PHDEC’s initiative.

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Webinars

Cherry Orchard Management for Good Quality & Yield

The webinar on “Cherry Orchard Management for Good Quality & Yield was held today to educate cherry farmers/growers on the importance of harvesting and handling. Mr. Muhammad Din from Principal Scientist, Mountain Agricultural Research Centre, Juglot, GilgitBaltistan gave a detailed overview of cherry orchard management with special emphasis on fruit setting, fruit development, insect/pest & disease management and nutrition management. He emphasized on regular monitoring of these issues in the orchards and suggested to follow the recommendations especially in the month of June for having better Yield and improved quality of cherry fruit. Mr. Akbar Shah, Senior Vice President, Gilgit Chamber of Small Traders & Industry presented statistics of Cherry production, its varietal spread and associated issues of nurseries and data. The webinar was attended by growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia associated with Cherry from all over Pakistan.

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Projects

Mango Bagging at Lutafabad Mango Farms

After the successful launch of its “Pilot Project on Mango Bagging” in Sindh, PHDEC launched the second phase of “Mango Bagging” at Lutfabad Mango Farms, Multan. Selective progressive Mango growers/exporters of Multan region were invited to take part in the launching. Mango Bagging has important commercial benefits in reducing postharvest diseases & damages, preservation of fruit’s color, reduction in spraying additional pesticides, protection of the fruit from birds and insects and protection from climate change hazards.

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Webinars

Value added products of Apple Webinar

Value added products of Apple Webinar Minutes of meeting

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