Pakistan's agriculture sector, annually producing over 15 million tons of fruits and vegetables across 40 types, faces challenges with 20% to 40% of this produce being wasted during transit from farms to markets. The Post-Harvest Research Center in Faisalabad, established in 1989 through collaboration between the Punjab government and the United Nations Development Project, has been at the forefront of addressing these issues. By deploying advanced technologies and methodologies, the center aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the profitability of international market deliveries.
Experts at the center emphasize the necessity of adopting modern harvesting techniques, setting ripeness standards, and utilizing contemporary storage solutions to extend the shelf life of perishable goods. Furthermore, implementing pre-cooling, cold storage, and establishing grading and packing units are crucial for maintaining export quality. The center also engages in training agricultural stakeholders and research to enhance the post-harvest longevity of key crops such as mangoes, oranges, and tomatoes.
Source: Daily Times