Webinars

2nd Interactive Session to Engage Key Stakeholders in Agro Value Addition

• by admin
• January 15, 2025

PHDEC Hosts 2nd Interactive Session to Engage Key Stakeholders in Agro Value AdditionToday (15-01-2025) Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) organized 2nd interactive session to engage major stakeholders and entrepreneurs involved in the value addition of agro products. The session aimed to provide insights into the upcoming FoodAg Manufacturing Expo, scheduled to be held from 26th to 28th February 2025 in Lahore, organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).The expo will host leading international companies specializing in manufacturing value addition machinery and value-added agro products. Local manufacturers and companies engaged in value addition were invited to the session to familiarize themselves with the event and its significance.During the session, the CEO, PHDEC delivered a detailed presentation on the potential of the FoodAg Manufacturing Expo. He highlighted how this platform would serve as a valuable interface for Pakistani stakeholders to explore advanced technologies used globally in the agro sector. He emphasized the opportunity to gain innovative ideas for enhancing value addition within Pakistan’s horticulture and agro-industries.This initiative underscores PHDEC’s commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth in the agro-value addition sector, ensuring Pakistani businesses remain competitive in the international market.

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

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.