05-02-2009, 08:14 AM
KARACHI: Pakistan can increase more exports of potato and onion by taking maximum advantage of irradiation technology. Sindh Chairman of Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF), Mateen Siddiqui said Friday the food irradiation technology has great potential to increase the shelf life of washed potatoes. He said this technology could also inhibit sprouting that would minimise wastage and increase the value of potatoes and onions for domestic and export markets. Mateen said, “Potatoes and onions are volume-based domestic crops and some of their major issues can be effectively addressed through food irradiation technology.” He said besides increasing the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables, it would also meet the quarantine requirements of developed countries. There was need to establish more irradiation plants on private-public sector basis in other parts of the country to facilitate the exporters. A plant is in operation at Lahore for irradiation facility. staff report
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