Prof. Dr. Amanullah Malik a postharvest expert addresses the seminar on Controlled and modified atmosphere storage technology for fruits and vegetables

Speakers of the seminar on “Controlled and modified atmosphere storage technology for fruits and vegetables” urged the government to create forward and backward linkages as the country can earn billions of US dollars annually by exporting fresh fruits and vegetables through controlled and modified atmosphere technology meant for slowing down the respiratory system of the fruits. The technology enables the local traders to enhance profitability and send the produce through sea which costs seven times less than the air fright. The seminar arranged by Postharvest laboratory of Institute of Horticultural Sciences in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture Research Board at New Senate Hall of the University on Thursday morning. The speakers including Prof. Dr. Aslam Pervaiz, Dr. Aman Ullah Malik, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Dr. Simon Schouten, Dr. Abdul Rehman, Omer Hafeez and Dr. Ahmad Sattar Khan were of the view that only thing the country needs is an urgent attention of the government policy makers to establish storage facilities of CA technology at Balochistan, Southern Punjab and other areas where fresh fruits are been produced abundantly. Addressing the seminar as Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad Dean Faculty of Agri. Engineering & Technology told that his faculty is offering Food Engineering degree course for the next academic session which would certainly pave the way for grabbing export potentials of fruits and vegetable and bring down the post harvest losses. He emphasized the need for government patronage to establish a large number of CA storage rooms and facilities in different areas of the country. Dr. Aslam Pervaiz told that at present out of 15 billion ton fruits and vegetables, the country is exporting only 4% whereas 65 to 70 percent is being used locally. He urged the government to heavily invest on the sector to promote the exports of fresh fruits and vegetable as the whole world is found of Pakistani mango, orange, apples and other fruits due to unique taste and fragrance of the produces. Dr. Aman Ullah Malik told that for the last four years he along with his team, successfully made a tremendous effort of examining the storage behavior of various fruits and vegetables in the controlled and modified atmosphere. He said that the exporter can enhance the shelf life of the produce upto 30 to 40 days and can easily export the container through sea on very less exporting cost, which can increase his profit manifolds. He said that the main way of preserving fruits and vegetables in storage or during long distance transport is by refrigeration, and controlled atmospheres are considered a supplement to increase or enhance the effect of refrigeration. “CA storage is only successful when applied at low temperatures” he added.