The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) conducted a webinar titled "Post-harvest Management Techniques of Cut Flowers for Export Markets," drawing attention to the significant potential of floriculture in enhancing the livelihoods of the country's small farming households.
The event, which aimed at processors, potential growers, and exporters within the floriculture sector, highlighted the favorable climate and affordable labor available in Pakistan, which make it an ideal location for floriculture, requiring minimal land and water for production.
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, associate professor (floriculture and landscape), Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, presented on the importance of post-harvest management for cut flowers, maintaining quality during post-harvest handling, pre-harvest factors affecting post-harvest handling, cut flower handling procedures, grading and bunching of cut flowers.
He said that harvested flowers shouldn't be placed on soil to avoid contamination of the foliage and flowers with disease causing organisms. He explained that packing materials should be easily available, light in weight and should have reasonable strength to withstand transit stress.
Source: www.thenews.com.pk