Pakistan: Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company Distributed Banana Bags to enhance Pakistan’s Banana Exports through Quality Improvements
Recognizing the potential of the banana crop, the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) has initiated a pilot project to distribute banana bunch bags to progressive growers in the Hyderabad region. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and cosmetic appeal of bananas, facilitating their entry into more lucrative international markets. PHDEC’s ongoing efforts focus on advancing Pakistan’s horticulture sector by improving the quality of horticultural products to boost exports.
The Sindh province is a major contributor, covering 93% of the banana cultivation area and producing 83% of the country’s bananas. Mostly, the Cavendish banana variety is produced in the Sindh cluster, due to climate change effects, the high temperature causes physiological disorders of bananas with quality defects such as chilling injury and sun born, which affects the visual appearance of the fruit and fetch low prices in the international market. This banana bunch activity will not only reduce these effects but will help in diversifying products to the niche market.
Pakistan, a significant banana producer with approximately 33 thousand hectares of banana cultivation, is exporting this fruit to Iran and the Central Asian Republics (CARs). However, Improving the cosmetic appeal and overall quality of bananas is crucial for accessing higher-value markets. The distribution of banana bunch bags by PHDEC represents a strategic move towards this goal. In 2023, Pakistan exported $52 million worth of bananas.
In addition to distributing the bags, PHDEC, in collaboration with the Agriculture Research Department in Tandojam, also organized a seminar on banana bagging and good agricultural practices. Held at the auditorium hall of the Agriculture Research Department, the seminar addressed key issues from production to post-harvest management and export marketing.
Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, CEO of PHDEC, said that bananas have emerged as a potential export crop after citrus and mangoes. Growing international demand requires following good agriculture practices. He said that Pakistan is 5th worst climate-affected country, and our fruit and vegetables are directly bearing the brunt of this climate change. We need to adapt and make required changes in our field practices to reduce field losses. The banana bagging initiative is one of such activity, that will control physiological disorders in the crop. He said that earlier PHDEC had also initiated mango bagging activity, which has received positive response from our growers in Multan and Hyderabad region.
Mr. Niaz Ahmad Nizamani, a progressive banana grower and value chain expert, guided growers on effective banana bunch bagging techniques. He delivered a detailed presentation on the types of bags, their benefits, and installation procedures, emphasizing that bagging is essential for improving the fruit’s cosmetic appeal.
Dr. Abdul Mubeen Lodhi, Professor at the Department of Plant Protection, Sindh Agriculture University, provided a detailed analysis of current crop conditions and good agricultural practices. He discussed the reasons behind low production levels in Pakistan and the impact of malpractices, offering insights into Panama disease, its symptoms, and control measures.
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