Kunri, Sindh – 09 December 2025: The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) today successfully conducted an intensive hands-on training workshop in Kunri for chilli growers, processors and exporters, marking another concrete milestone in its flagship project to deliver completely aflatoxin-free dried red chillies to international markets. Through this EDF-funded initiative, PHDEC is directly addressing the country’s most persistent export barrier by replacing traditional open-sun drying with proven solar tunnel dryer technology that ensures hygienic, uniform and contamination-free dehydration.
Under the project, PHDEC has taken full ownership of implementation by procuring and distributing 34 high-capacity solar tunnel dryers exclusively to progressive stakeholders in the Kunri-Umarkot belt. To date, 21 dryers have been fully installed and are operational, while the remaining 13 will be commissioned within the next three months. Today’s on-ground workshop was meticulously organized by PHDEC technical teams to guarantee effective adoption, with participants receiving practical training on dryer operation, precise product loading, real-time temperature and moisture control, daily maintenance protocols, strict hygiene practices, post-drying sorting and grading, safe storage methods and full compliance with EU, GCC and ASEAN food-safety standards.
PHDEC has structured the entire intervention for measurable, long-term results. Beyond hardware distribution and training, the organization is providing continuous field monitoring, free access to accredited aflatoxin testing, regular technical troubleshooting, development of market linkages with domestic and international buyers, facilitation of export documentation and establishment of model demonstration sites. Refresher trainings, multilingual manuals and video tutorials are also being rolled out nationwide to sustain knowledge transfer.
By leading every phase of this initiative from technology selection and stakeholder mapping to installation, capacity building and market connectivity, PHDEC is ensuring that Pakistan’s red chilli sector overcomes aflatoxin-related rejections, achieves consistent premium quality, significantly reduces post-harvest losses and regains its position as a trusted supplier of safe, high-value dried chillies in global markets.
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