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.

Webinars

Good Agricultural Practices of Citrus for High Yield and Good Quality

• by admin
• July 4, 2024

Today, on July 4th, 2024, PHDEC conducted an insightful webinar on “Good Agricultural Practices of Citrus for High Yield and Good Quality.”The primary aim was to engage stakeholders from Pakistan on critical issue of Citrus Orchard Management, focusing on achieving top-notch quality and yield.We were honored to have Mr. Malik Abdul Rehman from the Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, who provided an in-depth overview of citrus orchard management. He covered essential topics such as fruit setting, development, insect/pest & disease management, and nutrition management.Our participants, ranging from growers, processors, exporters, to R&D and academia, had their questions thoroughly addressed and left the webinar well-informed and satisfied.Thank you to everyone who joined and appreciated PHDEC’s initiative in addressing this vital topic. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future in citrus farming!

Webinars

Post-harvest techniques for Peaches

• by admin
• June 27, 2024

Today (27th June 2024), the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) successfully conducted a webinar focused on post-harvest techniques for peaches, aiming to ensure the freshness of peaches from orchard to market and reduce post-harvest losses. The event was well-attended by growers, exporters, processors, R&D experts, and other stakeholders.The perishable nature of peaches makes them susceptible to significant losses due to pests, diseases, and improper handling, storage, and transportation. The factors contributing to post harvest losses include; lack of knowledge about pests and diseases. Insufficient information on preservation methods, involvement of multiple intermediaries in the supply chain, and other factors such as weight, quality, nutritional value, seed viability, and commercial value.Dr. Muhammad Zahid Rashid from the Horticulture Research Institute, AARI Faisalabad, provided valuable insights into the latest harvest and post-harvest management techniques for peaches. His presentation covered practical applications of technologies like MAP and gamma radiation to minimize losses and improve peach quality.The webinar highlighted the critical need for advanced post-harvest management practices to mitigate losses and ensure the quality of peaches from orchard to market. The informative session provided stakeholders with actionable knowledge to implement these practices, ultimately benefiting Pakistan’s peach industry by reducing waste and enhancing marketability.

Webinars

Optimizing Apple Fruit Quality through Recommended Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management Techniques

• by admin
• June 6, 2024

Webinar on “Optimizing Apple Fruit Quality through Recommended Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management Techniques” aimed to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure top-notch quality Pakistani apples for both domestic and International markets.Did you know? The apple harvest season kicks off in early June and runs until the end of November. With apples being highly sensitive to mishandling, it’s crucial to implement proper harvesting techniques. Identifying this gap, PHDEC proactively organized this webinar to equip apple farmers, growers and key farm workers with essential knowledge well ahead of the peak season.We were thrilled to see a fantastic turnout, with enthusiastic participation from growers, processors, exporters, R&D professionals, and academia. The session was brimming with valuable insights, and we appreciate the positive feedback from all attendees.PHDEC is committed to continuing such interactive sessions to elevate Pakistan’s horticulture industry. Stay tuned for more initiatives aimed at fostering growth and excellence in our agricultural practices!