Latest from PHDEC

Product Videos

On 18 April 2024, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) organized a webinar on the topic of "SCOPE OF SMALL-SCALE TOMATO PROCESSING INDUSTRIES IN PAKISTAN,". The webinar presentation was delivered by Mr. Falak Naz Shah, Principal Research Officer at ARI Tarnab Peshawar, who highlighted the potential for small-scale processing of tomatoes to overcome postharvest losses. Mr. Shah discussed various products that can be produced at a small scale, including tomato juices, puree, paste, sauces, ketchup, pickles, powder, vinegar, and even tomato candies. During the event, Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, CEO of PHDEC, reiterated the organization's support for the horticulture industry. He encouraged participants to submit small projects for funding from the Export Development Fund (EDF), emphasizing PHDEC's commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the sector. The webinar attracted a large audience, including growers, exporters, processors, academia, and R&D experts. Participants appreciated PHDEC's initiative to educate the public on value addition topics, recognizing the importance of such efforts in enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan's horticulture sector.
Scope of Small Scale Tomato Processing Industries in Pakistan
On 04 April 2024, Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) hosted a webinar on the topic of ‘Prospects and Opportunities for Sustainable Olive Cultivation in Punjab’. Value of imports of "Olive oil and its fraction" to Pakistan totaled USD 12.4 million in 2022. Annual growth decreased by 4.93% in value terms compared to 2021. On the other hand, Pakistan has exported the same as merely USD 32,000 in 2022 whereas it was USD 6,503 only in 2021. This signifies huge potential and national demand and potential of exports, which justifies PHDEC initiative to focus on the sector. Keeping in view above, PHDEC hosted the webinar to educate the olive farmers/growers, key farm workers on the subject. Dr. Muhammad Ramzan Asner, Project Director, Punjab Centre of Excellence for Olive Research and Training (CEFORT), Barani Agriculture Research Centre (BARI) Chakwal, educated the small holders of olive. He stated that Center of Excellence for olive Research and Training (CEFORT) providing technical assistance to private sector entrepreneurs for commercialization of olive oil and value added products in Pakistan.
Prospects and Opportunities for Sustainable Olive Cultivation in Punjab
On 03 April 2024, Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) conducted the webinar on the topic of “Lemons and Limes Cultivation in Pakistan, Crop Management, Challenges and Opportunities.” The primary aim of the webinar was to discuss and enlightening the growers/farmers on good farming practices for viable lemon crop production of good quality and high yield. Expert from Islamia University of Bahawalpur provided a detailed overview of Lemons and Limes orchard management with special emphases related to fruit development, insect/pest & disease management, and nutrition management. The participants satiated themselves with the answers to their questions in the webinar. A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC’s initiative of conducting the webinar on this important topic.
Lemons and Limes Cultivation in Pakistan, Crop Management, Challenges and Opportunities
On 27th March, 2024, PHDEC conducted a webinar on the topic of “Awareness Session on SPS Requirements of Potato Exports for Central Asian Countries” as Pakistan is among the top 15 largest producers of potato in the world. The webinar aims to educate entrepreneurs and potential potato exporters regarding sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements of Central Asian countries. Detailed information regarding the introduction of SPS, its compliance through different processes, packaging, documentations, certifications, and test reports will be shared with potato sector exporters. Mr. Muhammad Aqeed Mehdi, Entomologist/Quarantine officer/in-charge Okara outpost, Department of Plant Protection (DPP) during his presentation stated that objective of using a phytosanitary measure is to achieve pest mortality & prevent the introduction or spread of regulated pests at a specified efficacy. He stated that phytosanitary security must be maintained during and after treatment, the responsible certifying body may determine specific phytosanitary security measures. He further added that most common methods of securing product against pests includes using a secure area with product segregation and traceability & using secure packaging or a combination of both. During concluding remarks, he added that central Asian states especially Kazakhstan are diverting to new potato importing countries to meet the demand. It is need of hour for Pakistan to take advantage of this situation and acquire the potato market of Central Asia.
SPS Requirements of Potato Exports for Central Asian Countries
On 2nd April 2024, Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) organized a webinar on the topic of “SPS Measures for Export of Peaches from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Pakistan produces around 150,000 tons of peaches at an area of around 15000 hectares. Majority of the area under peach production is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan is exporting peaches to Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Middle East and Greece in the EU. England is also a keen importer of Pakistani peaches. The comprehensive presentation by Dr. Khalid Zafar, Entomologist/Incharge, Regional Plant Protection Office, Department of Plant Protection Lahore on the subject was followed by Q&A session wherein the participants have an exhaustive discussion on the topic covering almost all aspects of the presentation. The participants from Swat provided real time insight on the issue. Speaking at the occasion CEO PHDEC Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar iterated PHDEC support for the sector highlighting the importance of developing infrastructure especially in KPK for the processing of peaches and other fruits from the province. A large number of participants from growers, orchard managers, processors, agriculture extension, academia and R&D valued PHDEC initiative.
SPS Measures for Export of Peaches From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On 26th March, 2024, PHDEC conducted the webinar on the topic of “Optimizing Apple Fruit Quality through Recommended Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management Techniques." The aim of the webinar was to bring the maximum of the stakeholders on board to share the recommended harvesting, post-harvest handling techniques of Apple to minimize the post-harvest losses, and availability of premium quality Apples in domestic and international high-end-market. The harvesting of Apple fruit shall be started by early June until the end of November. The apple is more sensitive and responsive towards the mishandling and malpractices of harvesting and post-harvesting. So, keeping in view the delicacy of the product and the importance of harvest and post-harvest handling for good quality and yield, PHDEC planned and conducted a webinar well before the time to take the apple farmers/growers, key farm workers on board. A very fruitful information regarding the subject matter was floated in the webinar. A large number of participants from growers, processors, exporters, R&D, and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC's initiative for conducting the webinar on the important topic of harvest & post-harvest management. PHDEC will keep organizing such kind of interactive sessions to uplift the horticulture industry of Pakistan.
Optimizing Apple Fruit Quality through Recommended Harvesting and Post Harvest Management Techniques
Load More... Subscribe

Product Brochures

Media Corner

Our Partners

world-bank-logo
usda-logo
usaid-logo
university-of-agriculture-logo
unido-logo
tdap-logo
pum-logo
govt-punjab-logo
eu-logo
csf-logo
adb-logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

Find Us

Head Office Islamabad

  • Ground Floor, State Life Building # 5, Phase-II, Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • info@phdec.gov.pk
  • +92-51-9217981 to 87
  • +92-51-9217980

Important Links

Social Media

Copyright ©2023 Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC). All Rights Reserved