Pakistan possesses tremendous potential of increasing production of fruits and vegetables and export to foreign countries by adopting modern research management approach. This was stated by American delegation who visited Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (Aari), Faisalabad.
The delegation was comprised of Director Business Development, Business Association and Senior Consultant and agriculture business specialist from Washington, inquired about the research projects and facilities regarding fruits and vegetables at Aari Faisalabad.
The delegation was informed about the hybrid varietal development programme of Vegetable Research Institute Faisalabad. The visitors were told that institute has developed 32 winter crop and 19 summer crop varieties of vegetables. It was further stated that institute is providing vegetable seed kits for promotion of home gardening.
Dr Ihsan Elahi Bajwa, Director Post Harvest Center informed that the center is conducting research for reduction of post harvest losses and preservation of fruits and vegetable. He told that post harvest losses of fruits and vegetable range between 30 to 35per cent and in order to reduce losses the institute has developed low cost on farm storage technology for potato and onion.
Hydro cooling technology for mango has been developed to extend shelf life of mango fruits. The delegation was informed that a new Social Sciences Institute is being established at Aari, Faisalabad for introduction of new disciplines in agriculture research. The delegation assured the Aari Scientists of their help for capacity building of researchers and to provide training in latest research management practices to enhance efficiency of agriculture research.