ISLAMABAD, May 19: National Agricultural Research Centre (Narc) 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.

Farm Machinery Institute (FMI) has played an important role in increasing productivity and reducing pre- and post harvest losses of dates. It is to be noted that Pakistan produces about 550,000 tons 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.

According to official sources most of it is produced in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP provinces. The country can earn considerable foreign exchange provided dates are dried and processed on scientific lines.

Solar dates drying system consists of eight flat plate solar collectors, a fan and a drying chamber. FMI engineers have successfully conducted dates drying trials using solar energy at a farm near D.I. Khan. A field demonstration of the system was arranged at Mitrabad, Dhakki, D.I. Khan on Malik Rab Nawaz Dhaki Date International near Chashma Barrage at Mitrabad.

Replying to a question the major objective of the demonstration is to popularize Parc-developed machines among farmers and potential agricultural machinery manufacturers.

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 capacity to dry 3 tons of dates per season and the quality standards are much better then the conventional technique and farmers would be able to get more income of their produce by marketing fine quality dates.

The farmers are showing interest to adopt the technology and would be produced on commercial scale in near future. Farm machinery plays an important role in increasing productivity and reducing pre and post harvest losses. To meet the augmenting needs of the growing population, PARC introduces science-based agriculture. -APP