This technology would not only help enhance apricots' exports but also be useful in eradicating poverty from the far-flung areas of the country, said chairman PSF Dr Farid A. Malik, while addressing an MoU signing ceremony here on Monday.
Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (CRET) and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) have joined hands to launch a project for "Application of Solar Drying Technology for Apricots."
Chairman PSF Farid A Malik, Director General CRET, Dr Pervez Akhtar and representative of DFP-AKRSP inked the agreement on behalf of their organisations.
The PSF chief said: "Northern Areas of Pakistan are blessed with tremendous amount of natural wealth in the form of vast mineral deposits, precious metals & gem stones and astonishing varieties of fruits, plants and natural herbs."
"Apricot is abundantly grown in all of Northern Areas, especially in Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu," he said, adding, "the dried apricots of Hunza are sold as health product in UK and other European countries."
The total production of apricots is about 45,000 tons per year whereas the dried apricot turnover is less than 1,000 tons per year.
About 40,000 tons of apricot is wasted and used as animal food and binder in mud plastering due to non-availability of proper drying technology in the Northern Areas.