Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) organized a workshop on potato in Okara, the major potato production hub in Pakistan. The workshop focused on key areas including Harvest, Post-harvest Handling, Processing, Packing, Storage of potato, post smog management techniques & export prospects in major importing countries with the aim of enhancing the quality, yield and export of this important vegetable.
Potato, is Pakistan’s leading vegetable with an annual production of approximately 8.3 million metric tons. Proper harvest and post-harvest handling are essential for preserving potato quality and ensuring successful exports. With the potato export season underway and continuing until April, the workshop provided timely guidance to growers, processors, and exporters.
CEO PHDEC, Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, inaugurated the event, welcoming participants and emphasizing PHDEC’s commitment to supporting potato stakeholders. He announced the upcoming establishment of a PHDEC regional office in Okara to strengthen collaboration with the sector and facilitate timely interventions in both production and marketing. He reiterated PHDEC’s dedication to providing comprehensive support to the potato industry.
Trade missions from major importing countries were invited via Zoom to share market insights from their respective regions. These included: Dr. Kauser Ali Zaidi, Trade & Investment Minister, Kabul, Afghanistan, Ms. Sadia Khan, Trande& Investment Counselor, Jeddah, KSA, Ms. Serrein Asad, Trade & Investment Attache, Doha, Qatar, Ms. Tahira Javed, Trade & Investment Counselor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mr. Zain Aziz, Trade & Investment Attaché, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Experts from the Potato Research Institute (PRI) & University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Sub-campus, Okara, delivered comprehensive presentations on addressing critical challenges in potato production and post-harvest handling: Dr. Syed Ijaz-Ul-Hassan, Director, Potato Research Institute, Sahiwal, provided an overview of the current potato crop and highlighted the importance of adopting best agricultural practices to ensure quality and yield.
