ISLAMABAD, March 16: The National Agricultural Research Centre has developed a solar dates drying system to minimize post-production losses of dates which are estimated to be around 50 per cent of the total production.

The Farm Machinery Institute has played an important role in increasing productivity and reducing pre and post harvest losses of dates. Pakistan produces about 550,000 tonnes dates every year, but only 9 to 10 per cent of the total production is exported due to lack of proper drying and processing facilities.

Most of the dates is produced in Sindh, Baluchistan and NWFP provinces. The country can earn considerable foreign exchange provided dates are dried and processed on scientific lines.

The Solar Dates Drying System consists of eight flat plate solar collectors, a fan and a drying chamber. The FMI engineers have successfully conducted dates drying trials using solar energy at a farm near Dera Ismail Khan.

To achieve this objective, wide-scale working displays at farmers field were arranged to highlight the activities through print and electronic media so that message could be properly conveyed country-wide.

About 20 to 60 per cent moisture is reduced in about five days whereas the conventional sun drying method takes about 10 to 14 days. The system has a capacity to dry three tons of dates and the quality standards are much better then the conventional technique. -APP