Dera Ismail Khan, August 16, 2025 — A delegation from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agriculture Extension Department paid a visit to the Agriculture Research Institute’s Food Technology Section in DI Khan to spotlight critical advancements and the imperative of investing in the local date palm industry.—Showcasing Date Palm InnovationsThe delegation, including Dr. Hanif Zahid Khattak (Director Plant Protection), Dr. Murad Ali Khan (Director Horticulture), and Dr. Muhammad Anwar Khan Bhittani (District Director Agriculture Extension), toured the institute’s research facilities.Dr. Shahzada Arshad Saleem Saddozai, PRO and Head of the Food Technology Section, briefed them on groundbreaking work in date palm fruit ripening and drying technologies.—Hybrid Solar Tunnel Dryer: A Game-ChangerThe research highlights the Hybrid Solar Tunnel Dryer (STD)—a locally developed innovation that accelerates the Dhakki date drying process from weeks to just 3–4 days.47 STD units have been installed across villages, offering farmers a dust-free, hygienic, and uniform drying alternative. This is especially vital during monsoon season, reducing spoilage and improving quality.—Call to Boost InvestmentOfficials praised the institute’s research capabilities and emphasized a growing necessity for enhanced investment in infrastructure and training.They called for strategic funding to foster sustainable agricultural development and bolster the value chain of the date palm industry in the region.—Related Context & Industry InsightsKhyber Pakhtunkhwa’s DI Khan Division is a leading producer of the regional Dhakki date variety, but traditionally its drying methods have been vulnerable to weather-related losses.Innovations like the STD directly address these challenges, equipping farmers to produce export-quality dates.Further regional initiatives, including government-supported plantations, research facilities, and cold-storage infrastructure, are critical next steps.
September 18, 2025
