F.P. Report
KARACHI: In pursuance of annual Work Plan for the year 2023-24, PHDEC planned to hold a series of product specific and capacity building webinars. In this context, a webinar on “Export Prospects and the Potential Markets of NARCH-HG1 Garlic” was conducted on 30th November, 2023. The primary objective of the webinar was the capacity building of garlic growers/farmers on appraising them about the potential export destinations and countering the challenges while exporting their final product.
Garlic holds a significant place in Pakistan’s culinary landscape and is cherished for enhancing the flavor of diverse dishes. Garlic is cultivated on 13,347 hectares, primarily in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a production volume of 127,463 tonnes. Garlic is globally recognised as a remedy for diverse ailments and physiological conditions. HG-1 Garlic is a latest produced by the scientists and researchers of NARC (National Agricultural Research Council).
There is a great potential to expand and enhance the production and export of HG-1 Garlic. Garlic is considered as a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus and ascorbic acid.
Mr. Jafar Ali, Assistant Manager (Agri-products) welcomed all the participants and informed the participants about the purpose of webinar. Mr. Zaka added that PHDEC has been emphasizing now on product development under its mandate. He also gave a short presentation about the vision, mission, mandate and objectives of PHDEC.
Mr. Athar Hussain Khokhar, the CEO of PHDEC, extended a warm welcome to the participants, providing valuable context on PHDEC’s instrumental role in the horticulture sector and its expansive mandate. Mr. Khokhar emphasized that PHDEC’s commitment remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that bolster the prosperity and well-being of horticulture cultivators and farmers.
Raja Mohsin Ali, President of Punjab Farmers Assocatio and a progressive grower of HG-1 Garlic provided an overview of the potential export destinations, common challenges faced while producing and exporting and the targeted areas where the final product can be sold.
Mr. Mohsin stated that the potential export destinations include the Gulf countries, Central Asian Reublics, Indonesia, Vietnam, Germany and Brazil. Indonesia is the top importer of Garlic worth $485 million and majority of that is imported from China. Other top importers of garlic include Vientnam, US and Russia. He also further explained that the major challeges faced by grower and exporterd inlcude the usage of right pesticide, seed availabiltiy, soil grading and quality, labour-intensive harvest and plantation, packaging techniques, drying methods and the lack of cold storages. In addition to this, garlic can also be sold in wholesale markets, grocery stores, restaurants and also in the form of value-added products.
After this, Luqman Waince, General Secretary of the Punjab Farmers Association shared his views. He provided an overview on land preparation, pesticides and fertilizers, cultivation patterns, garlic drying, grading, packaging and storage techniques.
He mentioned that there are only four pesticides being applied on garlic. There are two techniques for cultivation which include drip irrigation method and the flood irrigation method. He further expalained that two types of packagings of garlic can be done. Firstly, in the form of 10-20 kg sacks and secondly in the form of 1-3 kg net bags. For long-lasting taste and quality, Garlic Can be best stored in cold store at Temperature -1 C to 0 C with relative humidity (60-70%).
Mr. Khawar Nadeem, Manager Agri-Products PHDEC thanked all the participants for attending the webinar and assured the audiences that PHDEC will keep organizing such kind of activities virtually and on ground for the development of Horticulture industry of Pakistan. He informed to the participants about PHDEC’s upcoming activities besides capacity building workshops, webinars He suggested and encouraged the stakeholders to contact PHDEC in case if anybody needs a support or assistance.
A large number of participants which included growers, processors, exporters, R&D and academia participated in the webinar and appreciated the PHDEC’s initiative of conducting the webinar on an important topic of “Export Prospects and the Potential Markets of NARCH-HG1 Garlic”.
