Chairman, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) Dr M E Tusneem has said that post-harvest techniques will radically improve quality of fruit, vegetables and ensure safety. This, he stated while addressing the concluding session of the 6-day training workshop on "Post-harvest Management of Horticulture Crops, Fruit and Vegetable Chains" here.
The Workshop was organised by Social Sciences Division (SSD) Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc) in collaboration with FAO, Rome, Italy, APO, Tokyo Japan. More than 25 delegates from 11 Asian member countries, which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the workshop and four International master trainers from Italy, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand delivered lectures for reducing post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables.
Dr Tusneem urged the experts that they make sure that food quality standards will be followed to cater the vast majority of population. He said Parc and APO made valuable contribution for successful completion of six training courses on various aspects of agriculture sector and now FAO's inclusion in this forum will further strengthen and reinforce the programme. So they deserve appreciation and encouragement, he added. He urged the organiser to focus on combating the threats confronting agriculture sector for the wellbeing of humanity.
Dr Tusneem said that the course deliberated by the experts for reducing the losses in fruit and vegetables was excellent. The contribution made by international master trainers was tremendous who helped and guided them.
Dr Muhammad Saeed, APO, representative apprised the participants that APO strategy is to educate the people and they should grow fruit and vegetables and earn more money for their livelihood and make their economies on sound footings. He said that due to more than one reason post-harvest losses rise in many countries. Dr Saeed said that consumer is boss and he can dictate. Therefore, while forecasting we must respect consumer's opinion to develop sound mechanism for production and marketing of products, he added.
Dr Saeed said that effective monitoring is necessary for quality and safety food. He hoped that participants will be able to monitor after training course for using various tools and techniques to handle supply chain.
Dr Saeed apprised that participants of workshop were taken to Jumma Bazar where they took keen interest for adopting jumma bazar model in their countries because it is so cost effective and consumer friendly. Dr Rosa S Rolle, Agricultural Industries Officer, Agricultural and Food Engineering Technologies Services, Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division, United Nations, FAO Italy while addressing the participants said that APO, Parc, FAO, plans will certainly bring radical changes in the region.
He said with collaborative efforts we can strengthen knowledge in the region and added that the courses planned were knowledgeable. While visiting Jumma Bazar the participants were much impressed to see the well-organised fruit and vegetable market with other mixed domestic items.
The participants suggested that establishment of such model in the APO member countries will help to improve the markets. Earlier, Dr Tusneem distributed certificates among the participants and shields were presented to master trainers and heads or organisations.
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