ISLAMABAD — The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has proposed a Rs592.364 million project to upgrade the Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI) in Khairpur, aiming to strengthen research, improve post-harvest management, and expand value-added exports in Pakistan’s date sector.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the five-year project will run from July 2026 to June 2031 and will be implemented by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The initiative focuses on enhancing innovation, commercialisation, and climate resilience in the date palm industry.
Focus on high-value cultivation and exports
The project aims to promote high-value horticulture by introducing elite date cultivars through tissue culture and improving production and processing technologies. It includes the propagation of premium varieties such as Ajwa, Barhi, Deglet Noor, Hayani, Kenta, Mabroom, Medjool and Piarom.
Efforts will also be made to reduce yield gaps, minimise post-harvest losses, and expand the production of export-oriented, value-added date products.
Research and infrastructure development
A key component of the project is the establishment of a modern tissue culture laboratory with an initial capacity to produce 200,000 plants annually, targeting interventions across approximately 3,000 acres. The facility is expected to later expand to produce up to 400,000 plants per year, enabling orchard replacement on around 6,000 acres annually.
The project also includes the development of orchards in Khairpur using improved agricultural practices such as efficient irrigation, fertiliser management, pollination and pest control.
Processing, training and value addition
To improve post-harvest handling, the plan includes installing 40 solar tunnel dryers and setting up processing and packaging facilities at the farm level. Around 10 export-grade value-added date products are expected to be developed each year.
The initiative also includes capacity-building programmes for approximately 1,000 stakeholders annually to strengthen skills across the production and processing value chain.
The proposed project aligns with national development frameworks, including the 5Es Framework and the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Program, and is expected to support rural livelihoods while enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s date industry.
Also read: PARC works out Rs1.65bn 5.year plan to cut edible oil imports
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