These dryers will enable farmers to protect their fruit at low cost, and compete in international market, which will help foster their economic condition.

Giving further details, Member Science PSF Dr.Khalil Ahmad said the dryers would enable farmers to save their resources by effectively mitigating naturally induced losses, enhance quality of their products and compete in the international market for higher rates.

He said the drying capacity of solar dryers varied, depending upon their sizes. A mid-level dryer can dry 500 kg of dates in four to five days.

Dryers are available in market but they are out of the reach of farmers, he added.

Dr Khalil Ahmad said "annually a large quantity of date is wasted, as the farmers use 'open air technique' for it’s drying".

Introduction of low cost dryers by PSF will help the farmers to increase the import of their fruit, he went on to add.

Commenting over the situation, PSF spokesperson Rehana Batool said capacity building programmes must also be launched for farmers to educate those marketing techniques.

She said that a proper packing of dates can also boost their sale.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011