Islamabad
Pakistan being an agricultural country produces about 15.0 million tons of fruits and vegetables annually.
This sector contributes about 12% to the national GDP, but its export volume remains relatively low.
The estimated postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables in the country range between 25-35%, which are very high and need to be checked.
In this regard, Agricultural Engineering Institute (AEI), NARC, PARC organized a demonstration of peach processing machinery line. Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC was chief guest of the event. Dr. Itmtiaz Hussain Deputy Director General NARC, Engr. Zulfiqar Ali DG (AED) PARC, Scientists of PARC/ NARC, farm machinery professors from Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi and other stakeholders participated in the event.
Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC said that post-harvest processing of fruit and vegetable is very important, and need of the hour. Fruit and vegetable growers can increase the export volume of the country by post harvest processing technology and increase their income as well.
A few farmers can install this processing line with collaboration and can earn better income.
He emphasized on the indigenization of this technology along with other processing technologies for value addition of fruits and vegetables at farmer’s field level.
He also directed to demonstrate this technology to farmer’s at large scale for its promotion and awareness among end users.
He added that these interventions should be tested for other fruits and vegetables, such as plum, apple, apricot, guava, citrus, potato and capsicum. With these interventions, the shelf-life of fruits will be increased that will enhance the export volume from Pakistan.
Dr. Hafiz Sultan Mahmood Director of the institute briefed the participants about the importance of postharvest processing project in the country. He said that about 30-35% fruits and vegetables are waisted due to lack of postharvest technology. By introduction of this postharvest processing technology, fruit/vegetable growers can reduce 25-35 % losses of the fruit and vegetables.
Dr. Imtiaz Hussain, Deputy Director General NARC suggested that private machinery manufactures should be taken on-board during field demonstrations of the technology for commercialization of this processing machinery.
