By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A prominent veterinary doctor and FSSC Lead Auditor from Peshawar, Dr. Muhammad Nisar, recently paid a special visit to the Food Technology Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan.
On the occasion, Principal Research Officer and Head of the Food Technology Section, Dr. Shehzada Arshad Saleem Saddozai, delivered a comprehensive briefing on the institute’s ongoing research initiatives. He particularly highlighted the modern technology developed for the ripening and drying of dates.
Dr. Saddozai explained that in response to climate change and environmental challenges, several scientific experiments are underway, with the locally developed Hybrid Solar Tunnel Dryer emerging as a notable innovation. The advanced system is capable of drying covered dates within three to four days while maintaining high quality standards.
He further stated that 46 units of the technology have so far been installed in rural areas, directly benefiting local farmers. The system ensures hygienic, dust-free drying and protects fruit from rain and humidity. Additionally, the technology has proven effective not only for dates but also for drying other fruits, vegetables, and agricultural produce in a uniform and standardized manner.
In regions such as Dera Ismail Khan, where covered dates face significant risks during the rainy season, the innovation is being regarded as a transformative step toward improving product quality, reducing post-harvest losses, increasing farmers’ incomes, and promoting exports.
Dr. Muhammad Nisar appreciated the institute’s research efforts and expressed support for the broader promotion of this technology. He emphasized the importance of training, quality monitoring, and infrastructure investment to strengthen the date industry.
During his visit, he showed keen interest in the laboratory’s activities, particularly in food safety, quality assurance, and value addition of agricultural products. He assured full technical assistance in meeting food safety requirements and obtaining HACCP certification and FSSC 22000 accreditation.
He also offered guidance on developing documentation systems, establishing management frameworks, and facilitating the step-by-step accreditation process. Dr. Nisar stressed that the Food Technology Laboratory should be further strengthened and aligned with international standards to enable local agricultural products to compete effectively in global markets.
