Pakistan introduces modern solar technology for drying of dates

[shah1398]

After
https://defence.pk/threads/solar-dryers-installed-at-farms-for-drying-fruits.103801/

Pakistan introduces modern solar technology for drying of dates
Posted By: News Deskon: July 21, 2016
Email

ISLAMABAD: (APP) Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) has built capacity for date growers to use solar technology for drying of dates by developing a Solar-cum-Gas Fired Date Dryer for the dehydration of dates.

This system can reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality of dates, according to a statement received here on Wednesday.

Five solar drying systems have been installed in Khairpur and Sukkur Region of Sindh Province at Pano Aquil, Pryalo, Pir Jo goth, Therhi and Hayyat Solangi in date production areas of Sindh.

At these sites PARC also conducted training for local farmers to use and maintenance of these systems to get benefit from this technology to increase their production as well as to produce quality dates.

The farmers’ capacity building program would help to increase capability and understanding of the farmers to equip themselves with proper drying techniques of dates for upcoming seasons.

The farmers can also use this system to dry other fruits. Through the use of this technology, farmers can improve their production and enhance income by producing quality dates and other fruits.

This system would also be an addition in the system to meet the national goal of food security in the country.

These activities are being conducted under SAARC development funded project titled “Postharvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits in Production Catchments in SAARC Countries-Pakistan Component of Agricultural Engineering Division (AED) of PARC with the assistance of AZRI Technology Field Station located in Khairpur (Sindh).

A team of scientists led by Dr. Munir Ahmad, Chief Scientist and Director General (AED) PARC and other members include Dr. Muhammad Abbas Bhutto, Senior Scientific Officer and Incharge AZRI Technology Field Station-Khairpur, Furrukh Ehsan, SO, Asif Anwar and Sheraz Ahmad Anjum is actively working for the transfer of this knowledge and technology among the farmers and date growers in the country.

https://timesofislamabad.com/pakist...ar-technology-for-drying-of-dates/2016/07/21/

 

[Goenitz]

if only we could do this at large sacle and dry up all types of fruits like banana, mango, apple, dates, apricot and what not... all these can be great source of minerals in daily diet w/o fear of staling....

 

[shah1398]

if only we could do this at large sacle and dry up all types of fruits like banana, mango, apple, dates, apricot and what not... all these can be great source of minerals in daily diet w/o fear of stale....

U are right. We have got lot of potential in many areas that are still unexplored and this is one of those areas, though efforts are underway at some scale. nonetheless as per 2015 statistics:

"Pakistan is the worlds fifth largest date producer and ranks second after Iran among its neighbours. Date fruit is one of the most import fruit crop especially in the Middle East with global production of dates reaching 7.5 million metric tons in 2014. It is the third largest fruit crop in Pakistan after mango and citrus."

http://www.freshplaza.com/article/145966/Pakistan-Call-for-boosting-fresh-date-export

Here is the year on year graph for Dried and Fresh Dates exports.

And we can expect a further boost to these after the above mentioned steps.

 

[Goenitz]

Pakistan is 7th largest milk producers...if we just train our people from italy/germant/france for making cheese, we can save a lot of precious milk.... stating bcz most of teh milk is wasted bcz it is not transported to cities or market and consumed locally plus no storage facility... so people work very hard to sell it on daily basis....

 

[shah1398]

Pakistan is 7th largest milk producers

It is now actually considered as third largest.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1112598/pakistans-dairy-sector-business-growth-revenue-maximisation/

f we just train our people from italy/germant/france for making cheese, we can save a lot of precious milk.... stating bcz most of teh milk is wasted bcz it is not transported to cities or market and consumed locally plus no storage facility... so people work very hard to sell it on daily basis

Actually this has already started to happen with many new foreign entrants.

https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/success-stories/austrex-helps-to-build-pakistans-dairy-industry

and

http://www.dawn.com/news/1264282

and

http://www.brecorder.com/br-researc...er-pakistana39s-dairy-sector/?date=2016-03-07

and many more.

 

[hassamun]

We should stop our dependence on fossil fuels and focus on more renewable energy sources...A step in the right direction...