Demonstration of Technologies and Training of Growers for Handling and Value Addition of Fruits and Vegetables in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The people of GB are totally dependent on wheat supplied through Government on subsidized rates
from Punjab. The climatic conditions of GB are suitable for abundant, delicious, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are the main source of income generation for the area.
According to agriculture statistics 2014, the pre- and post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables are 50% and according the survey of center for public health initiatives project PCSIR6 these losses exceed 60% of produce.
Demand of chemically preserved fruit pulp and semi processed fruits is on the rise among the food industry of Pakistan. Demand has also risen for dehydrated fruit, pulp and other value-added products in the western market. A number of importers from Europe have shown their interest in the import of dry apricot from Gilgit-Baltistan. According to Baltistan Culture Development Foundation Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan there was an order of 3,500 tons dried apricot from a single party from the United Kingdom during the year 2014, but they failed to collect 10 tons of dehydrated dry apricot of international standard.
Then Deputy Director, Agriculture Department District Diamer delivered a welcome address and brief about the agricultural scenario of the District, after that the Principal Investigator briefed about the objectives of fruit processing training. Then practical training on development of apple pulp at household level started. Skill development in use of fruit processing machinery
will lead towards the establishment of fruit processing industry in GB.
Adv Food Technol Nutr Sci Open J. 2019; 5(2): 67-72. doi: 10.17140/AFTNSOJ-5-158