Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) recently completed a Rs 31 million date-palm protection project with matching grant support of Rs 15.5 million. This was the first time in the history of the country that such a project was implemented at the macro level to cater to the needs of date palm growers covering all the major date palm producing regions of Pakistan.
The project was initiated in June 2010 wherein over 300,000 Tyvek bags were distributed to the date palm growers and training programmes were organised in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). With the assistance of local associations, NGOs and Rural Support Programmes, the project was successfully implemented in Khairpur and Sukkar (Sindh), Muzaffargarh (Punjab), D I Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Turbat and Punjgoor (Balochistan), said ASF spokesman here on Saturday.
Tyvek bag is a paper like material and a product of Dupont USA, which has proved to be very successful in date producing countries. It saves the produce from rain, dust, insects, birds, etc, which are harmful for the crop and can have a detrimental impact on the livelihood of growers.
Pakistan is rated among the largest producers of date palm in the world with over 150 different varieties. Several varieties are similar to those cultivated in Iraq, Iran and the Gulf countries like Hillawi, Zahdi, Shakeri, Basri etc.
In Pakistan, Balochistan is the largest date producing province followed by Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the exception of the last two years when the lead was taken over by Sindh due to drought in Balochistan. Popular varieties produced in the country are: Aseel, Zahidi, Fasli, Maazwati, Dhakki, Kharbalian, Begum Jangi, Dagh, Goakna, Tota, Karwan, Hillavi, Khudrawi and Mozawati Gulistan, Jowansur, Lango, Sabzo, Kharuba, Karbala, and Kupro.
Each year, monsoon clashes with the dates ripening season and a few minutes of rain can destroy up to 80 percent of the crop. To avoid unforeseen risk, growers are compelled to process un-ripened dates into low priced 'chowharas' before the start of monsoon season. Last year, ASF sponsored a pilot project in Khairpur (Sindh) by distributing 20,000 Tyvek bags among the farming community.
It was demonstrated that use of the bags not only saved the produce from normally expected perils but also improved the quality and taste as well as increased its yield. The improved quality also enabled few growers who used these bags to attain premium prices. Owing to the success of the pilot project, ASF launched a massive project this year covering major dates producing areas of Pakistan, ie Khairpur/Sukkar, D.I.Khan, Muzaffar Garh and Turbat/Panjgoor.