UNIDO Program Development Expert Taimoor Adil calls on UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at VC Chamber

The UNIDO will set up a state-of-the-art Center for value addition of different fruits including apples and dates in Balochistan in collaborations with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad. It was discussed at a meeting held between UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan and UNIDO Program Development Expert Taimoor Adil at the VC Chamber. It was also agreed that the UAF scientists will provide their expertise in the field of value addition for the capacity building of local farming community. The UNIDO expert said that Balochistan has significance in the production of the apples, dates and grapes. But the province is losing the said productivity in the shape of post harvest losses due to a lack of value addition system. We would establish a modern centre in Quetta to cope with the situation, he said, adding that the centre is aimed at creating the abilities among the farming community regarding increasing production with the help of value addition and latest harvesting techniques etc. He said that steps are being taken to educate the Balochistan farming community about latest practices with the help of National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology, UAF in this regard. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that Balochistan is producing the best dates. But, the lack of value addition and processing technology is responsible of losing the export potential. He said that Baloch culture is incomplete without dates and camel. He stressed the need to make the value addition of the camel milk, having high protein value, to make it more demanding. He said that Baolchistan have a belt of cotton that may be developed and presented as the model by establishing the quality seed system. He said that a consultation group has been constituted for the evaluating of UNIDO and UAF joint research project. It comprised Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization Director Dr Rao Asif Ali and NIFSAT Director General Dr Faqeer Anjum. The group will prepare the suggestion to materialize the project, he added.