Webinars

Webinar on Olives

• by admin
• December 20, 2024

Good Agricultural Practices for Olives 19 Dec,2024 Boosting Olive Cultivation in Pakistan!Today, PHDEC hosted a webinar on “Good Agricultural Practices for Olives” to empower farmers and stakeholders with insights into enhancing olive yield and quality.With 10 million acres of suitable land—twice Spain’s capacity—Pakistan is poised to become a significant olive producer. Currently producing 100 tons of olive oil annually, our goal is to reach 4,600 tons by 2030, reducing dependence on imports.Experts shared practical knowledge for farmers, focusing on prospects and challenges in key regions like Balochistan, KPK, Punjab, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Pakistan’s olive industry! PHDEC’s other past events: All Workshops Webinars Seminars WorkshopsDecember 12, 2024 Potato Workshop – Okara Harvest, Post-harvest Handling, Processing and Storage of Potato Today (12-12-2024), PHDEC organized a workshop on Potato in Okara, Following are… Read More WorkshopsDecember 10, 2024 Workshop on Citrus in Bhalwal, Pakistan’s major Kinnow-producing hub Harvest, Post-harvest Handling, Processing, Packing, and Storage of Kinnow Workshop on Citrus in Bhalwal – 10 Dec, 2024 (December 10,… Read More WebinarsNovember 28, 2024 Climate Change: Impact of Smog and Fog on Potato Crop & Remedial Measures Today (November 27, 2024), PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Climate Change: Impact of Smog and Fog on Potato Crop &… Read More WebinarsNovember 22, 2024 Harvest and Post-harvest Management of Citrus Fruits Today (November 21, 2024), PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Harvest and Post-harvest Management of Citrus Fruits”. The aim was to… Read More WorkshopsNovember 13, 2024 Improving the quality of Pakistani chilies for export Today (November 12, 2024), Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) organized a workshop at the Arid Zone Research Center… Read More SeminarsNovember 7, 2024 The Dynamics of Vegetable Exports: Procedures, Quality Control & Value Chain PHDEC hosted a pivotal seminar on “The Dynamics of Vegetable Exports: Procedures, Quality Control & Value Chain” at the IAS… Read More

Webinars

Climate Change: Impact of Smog and Fog on Potato Crop & Remedial Measures

• by admin
• November 28, 2024

Today (November 27, 2024), PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Climate Change: Impact of Smog and Fog on Potato Crop & Remedial Measures.”PHDEC aimed to address the impact of fog, smog, and other air pollutants on potato crops. It is observed by the relevant potato research institute that the smoggy and foggy weather in Punjab has significantly affected the potato crop, potentially leading to an alarming 20% reduction in yield. To mitigate the effects of this adverse weather and manage the situation, implementing expert-recommended best agricultural practices is crucial.Recognizing the gravity of the issue, PHDEC organized this webinar to share practical recommendations and strategies for managing the impact of smog on potato crops, with a special focus on maintaining yield and quality.Dr. Syed Ijaz-Ul-Hassan Director, Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal discussed the effects of climate change on potato crop & expected losses in yield due to smog & fog. He also discussed about long term & short term strategies to minimize the losses.Dr. Muhammad Nawaz Sajid, Principal Scientist, Potato Research Station Sahowali, Sialkot enlighten the audience on visible symptoms & diseases caused by the said weather & mitigation strategies to overcome the diseases.

Webinars

Harvest and Post-harvest Management of Citrus Fruits

• by admin
• November 22, 2024

Today (November 21, 2024), PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Harvest and Post-harvest Management of Citrus Fruits”. The aim was to discuss harvesting, post-harvest handling of citrus to minimize the post-harvest losses and availability of premium quality citrus in domestic and international high-end-markets. The harvesting of citrus is in progress and will continue till the end of March. Citrus is more sensitive and responsive towards mishandling and malpractices of harvesting and post-harvesting. Keeping this in view, PHDEC aimed to educate farmers, key farm workers on proper harvest, postharvest handling, processing, packing, storage and transportation of citrus fruit for exports. A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D, and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC’s initiative for conducting the webinar on the important topic of harvest & post-harvest management.

Webinars

Chilgoza Pine Forests: Restoration for Ecosystems and Improved Livelihood of Mountain Farming Communities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)

• by admin
• October 24, 2024

Today, PHDEC successfully conducted a webinar titled “Chilgoza Pine Forests: Restoration for Ecosystems and Improved Livelihood of Mountain Farming Communities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).” The session featured Mr. Hasil Khan as the presenter, with key insights provided by Mr. Niamat Ullah, Research Fellow at PARC-MARC Gilgit, who shared his expertise on the local supply chain of Chilgoza pine nuts.Dr. Tetsuro Hosaka from Hiroshima University Japan also shared his views on one of the costiliest produce from Pakistan appreciating PHDEC for this initiative.The webinar primarily focused on the challenges and opportunities associated with restoring Chilgoza pine forests and improving the local supply chain in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) is a vital resource for the region’s ecological health and a key source of livelihood for mountain farming communities. However, the Chilgoza pine nut supply chain faces several challenges, including deforestation, poor storage facilities, limited market access, and high transportation costs due to inadequate infrastructure.The webinar underscored the importance of forest conservation and reforestation initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability of Chilgoza pine forests. The integration of sustainable practices within the supply chain, along with support from the government and market players, will not only restore ecological balance but also boost the livelihoods of mountain farming communities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Webinars

Green Defence: Microbial Biofungicides for Food Security and Sustainable Horticulture

• by admin
• October 17, 2024

Today at 11 am, PHDEC conducted a webinar on “Green Defence: Microbial Biofungicides for Food Security and Sustainable Horticulture” aimed to address growing challenges of food security in the context of rising global populations and the need for sustainable agricultural practices.Dr. Zulqarnain provided a comprehensive overview of how plant diseases, which account for up to 40% of crop losses globally, are a significant threat to food production. The discussion centered on the rising use of microbial biofungicides—derived from natural organisms like bacteria and fungi—as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. These biofungicides offer multiple advantages, including reduced toxicity, minimal environmental impact, and lower risk of resistance development among pathogens.The session concluded with an emphasis on integrating biofungicides into Pakistan’s horticultural sector to meet growing food demands, highlighting the potential for research partnerships and policy advocacy. A large number of stakeholders including growers, farmers, processors, academia, R&D and general people participated in the webinar.

Webinars

Olive Production, Prospects and challenges in Pakistan

• by admin
• September 25, 2024

Today (September 25, 2024) PHDEC conducted a webinar on Olive Production, Prospects and challenges in Pakistan.The webinar aimed at discussing Olive Production, Prospects and challenges in Pakistan. Currently, Pakistan 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 in Pakistan fit for olive cultivation are Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Pakistan has 10 million acres of land suitable for olive cultivation, which is almost twice as much as Spain, the world’s largest olive oil producer. PHDEC chose this time frame to educate olive farmers/growers and key farm workers on the subject.The Project Director of the Center of Excellence for Olive Research (CEFORT) provided valuable insights to the olive farmers in attendance.The Webinar attracted a wide range of participants from the agricultural sector, including farmers, researchers, processors and academia, who engaged in fruitful discussions on the future prospects of Olive Production and its potential to revolutionize olive production in Pakistan.

Webinars

Swat-1 Onion: Unlocking Production Potential and Market Prospects

• by admin
• September 12, 2024

September 10, 2024, Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) is going to organize a webinar titled “Swat-1 Onion: Unlocking Production Potential and Market Prospects,”The session will focus on Swat-1 Onion, a popular red-skin variety in Pakistan known for its high yield potential of 35-40 tons/ha and good keeping quality of 3-4 months at ambient temperature in ventilated storage. With medium bulb size (8-12 bulbs/kg) and high-top bulb shape, this variety shows great promise for enhancing onion production and market competitiveness.Pakistan ranks 7th globally in onion production and 8th in exports, with an average yield of 14.3 tons/ha, which is below the world average of 19 tons/ha. By addressing this 15-ton yield gap with improved technologies like Swat-1, we can potentially add 2.5 million tons to the national production, significantly boosting both domestic supply and export prospects.Dr. Noor Habib, Principal Research Officer, ARI Mingora, Swat will be presenter for the webinar. This session will explore strategies to optimize production and capitalize on future market opportunities, benefiting stakeholders across the Swat-1 supply chain.

Webinars

Preparation of Mango Orchards for Next Crop by Effective Management Techniques

• by admin
• September 6, 2024

(4th September 2024), PHDEC conducted the webinar on “Preparation of Mango Orchards for Next Crop by Effective Management Techniques”.The aim was to discuss and enlighten the growers/farmers on good farming practices for viable crop production to produce good quality mangoes and to get high yields.Dr. Javed Iqbal, Senior Scientist, Mango Research Station, Shujabad provided a detailed overview of mango orchard management and delivered a presentation on soil, irrigation & nutrition management, pruning, use of pesticides/chemicals, vegetative and root growth patterns and its management for better plant health. The session was concluded with a Q&A segment from the audience.A large number of growers/farmers, R&D, entrepreneurs, and academia participated in the webinar and valued the PHDEC’s initiative.

Webinars

Value-Added Products of Garlic

• by admin
• September 1, 2024

PHDEC organized a webinar titled ‘Value-Added Products of Garlic,’ aimed at engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders to explore potential interventions for the development of value-added garlic products. Experts from Al-moiz industries Limited and Pamico Agrofoods provided in-depth insights into the garlic value chain, the scope of value addition, and the quality attributes essential for processing garlic into high-value products. The webinar attracted significant participation from processors, progressive growers, R&D professionals, private companies, and academia, who all commended this initiative.

Webinars

Pecan Nuts: Production Technology and Future Prospects in KPK

• by admin
• July 30, 2024

Webinar on “Pecan Nuts: Production Technology and Future Prospects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” focused on the rich potential of pecan nuts (Carya illinoinensis). It is a non-traditional crop for the region, known for its high fat content, caloric value, and versatile use in various culinary applications.The webinar featured experts who discussed the cultivation of pecan varieties suitable for both subtropical and temperate areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, identified by ARI, Tarnab. Participants, including farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders were provided with detailed insights on the production technology, best practices, and future prospects of Pecan Nut in KPK region. The session highlighted the economic potential and market opportunities for pecan cultivation, contributing to the diversification of horticulture crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The webinar was well-received, with active engagement and positive feedback from the attendees.