Post Harvest Research Centre,AARI

04/11/2026

POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT & VALUE ADDITION OF GUAVA!
Implementing proper post-harvest management for guava from farm to market is critical to curbing Pakistan's high post-harvest losses, which often reach 20–40% due to the fruit's highly perishable nature. Because guavas ripen rapidly and are highly susceptible to mechanical bruising, fungal infections, and moisture loss, establishing immediate field sorting, careful grading, and secure packaging in ventilated crates is essential to preserving quality during transit. Furthermore, integrating cold chain logistics and rapid transport directly minimizes spoilage before the fruit reaches retail markets. For the inevitable seasonal surplus, value addition through processing excess guava into high-value products like jams, jellies, juices, and dehydrated slices not only prevents massive economic waste for local farmers but also stabilizes market prices, extends product shelf life, and unlocks new revenue streams in the local agro-processing sector.

Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab

29/10/2026

Senior Scientist Ms. Farah Ahmad and Scientific Officer Ms. Sadia Ansar from Post Harvest Research Centre, AARI conducted a hands-on training session on value addition of fruits and vegetables for female participants at Sunny Public School, Chak No. 41 JB, Faisalabad.

The training focused on empowering women with practical skills for entrepreneurship and household food security, covering techniques such as preparation of jams, jellies, squashes, pickles, chutneys,and proper packaging and preservation methods to minimize post-harvest losses. Ms. Farah Ahmad and Ms. Sadia Ansar emphasized low-cost, market-oriented value addition technologies that can help rural women generate income from surplus produce. The participants appreciated the informative and interactive session aimed at promoting women empowerment through agricultural innovation.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab

27/10/2026

22/10/2026

Murshad Masood Qazi, serial entrepreneur, international business strategist and CEO of Clayhandi, organized the “Faisalabad Business Meetup” on 21st October at Pamico Industry to promote value addition of food and reduce food wastage. The meetup brought together local entrepreneurs, food processors, exporters and agri-business leaders to discuss how Pakistan's agricultural produce, which is often wasted due to lack of processing, packaging and cold storage, can be transformed into high-value, export-ready products. With insights from experts including Dr. Muhammad Abrar (Chief Scientist, PHRC, AARI), Muhammad Arshad (CEO Pamico), Tariq Tanveer (CEO Agri tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan), Rana Awais Khan (CEO National Alliance for Safe Food) and Dr. Hafiz Rehan Nadeem (COO Global Standard Services) the session focused on practical strategies for product development, e-commerce, and global market access, highlighting that moving from raw commodity to value-added food is key to increasing farmers' income, business profitability and Pakistan's exports.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab

21/10/2026

At the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, the technical sessions on "Minimising Fruits and Vegetables Waste through Value Addition" were jointly delivered by experts from the Post-Harvest Research Centre (PHRC), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad.

Dr. Sadia Ansar, Scientific Officer, PHRC and Dr. Humaira Kausar, Senior Scientist, PHRC, highlighted the scale of post-harvest losses in Pakistan and the science of converting waste into wealth, explaining how peels, pulp, seeds and trimmings can be processed into value-added products such as dehydrated powders, pectin, jams, jellies, juices, sauces, and functional ingredients. Both emphasized that value addition not only reduces the 30-40% losses in perishables but also creates low-cost, nutritious, and marketable products for farmers, entrepreneurs and youth — aligning with PHRC's core mandate to conduct R&D on post-harvest management and value addition of fruits and vegetables and its mission to introduce compatible, safe value-added food products for masses.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab
National Institute Of Food Science & Technology, UAF

16/10/2026

On the occasion of World Food Day, the Post Harvest Research Centre (PHRC), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad organized a technical program to highlight the importance of food safety, nutrition, and sustainable food systems. The event brought together distinguished speakers from academia, industry, and regulatory authorities who shared valuable technical insights. The panel included Prof. Dr. Imran Pasha, Dean, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, UAF; Dr. Muhammad Yasin, Principal Scientist, NIAB; Dr. Abdullah Salik, Deputy Head Operations, Shangrila Foods; Mr. Majid Majeed, Food Safety Officer, Punjab Food Authority; and Dr. Mian Muhammad Azam, Merit Bread, Faisalabad. The speakers deliberated on post-harvest management, food processing innovations, quality assurance, and regulatory perspectives for ensuring safe and nutritious food.
The program was in line with the core mandate of PHRC, which is dedicated to reducing post-harvest losses through research on improved harvesting, drying, storage, packaging and handling techniques, and promoting value addition of fruits, vegetables and grains. By bringing together experts from farm to industry to regulatory authority, the event served as a knowledge-sharing platform to translate research into practical solutions for minimizing losses, enhancing product quality, and ensuring safe, nutritious food for all.

Concluding the event, Dr. Ghulam Sarwar, Chief Scientist, VRI, AARI, appreciated the efforts of Dr. Muhammad Abrar, Chief Scientist, PHRC, AARI and the whole PHRC team for organizing a successful event aligned with the Centre's mission, and thanked the respected speakers for their participation and for sharing their technical knowledge.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab
Punjab Food Authority
National Institute Of Food Science & Technology, UAF
Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology
Shangrila Foods
Merit Bread Faisalabad

16/10/2026

WORLD FOOD DAY!
World Food Day, observed annually on 16 October, is a global call to action to end hunger, ensure food security, and promote sustainable agriculture for all. It commemorates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and reminds us that despite producing enough food for everyone, millions still suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and food waste.

Under this year's theme "Innovate Today; Nourish Tomorrow,"the day highlights the critical role of innovation across the food chain — from lab to field to table. For us at the "Post Harvest Research Centre, AARI, Faisalabad", it holds special significance, as nearly one-third of food is lost after harvest. Through innovations in smart storage, cold chain, solar drying, value addition, and sustainable packaging, post-harvest management directly reduces food insecurity, adds economic value for farmers, extends shelf-life, and ensures a safe, nutritious, and resilient food supply for future generations.
Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,Faisalabad-Pakistan
Agriculture Department Punjab

15/10/2026

On the occasion of World Food Day, the Post Harvest Research Centre (PHRC), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad organized a technical program to highlight the importance of food safety, nutrition, and sustainable food systems. The event brought together distinguished speakers from academia, industry, and regulatory authorities who shared valuable technical insights. The panel included Prof. Dr. Imran Pasha, Dean, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, UAF; Dr. Muhammad Yasin, Principal Scientist, NIAB; Dr. Abdullah Salik, Deputy Head Operations, Shangrila Foods; Mr. Majid Majeed, Food Safety Officer, Punjab Food Authority; and Dr. Mian Muhammad Azam, Merit Bread, Faisalabad. The speakers deliberated on post-harvest management, food processing innovations, quality assurance, and regulatory perspectives for ensuring safe and nutritious food.
The program was in line with the core mandate of PHRC, which is dedicated to reducing post-harvest losses through research on improved harvesting, drying, storage, packaging and handling techniques, and promoting value addition of fruits, vegetables and grains. By bringing together experts from farm to industry to regulatory authority, the event served as a knowledge-sharing platform to translate research into practical solutions for minimizing losses, enhancing product quality, and ensuring safe, nutritious food for all.

Concluding the event, Dr. Ghulam Sarwar, Chief Scientist, VRI, AARI, appreciated the efforts of Dr. Muhammad Abrar, Chief Scientist, PHRC, AARI and the whole PHRC team for organizing a successful event aligned with the Centre's mission, and thanked the respected speakers for their participation and for sharing their technical knowledge.

12/10/2026

🌍🌾 World Food Day 2026

The Post Harvest Research Centre (PHRC), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, cordially invites you to join us in celebrating World Food Day 2026 under the theme:

🌱 “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”

📅 Date: 14 October 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Venue: Main Library Hall, AARI, Faisalabad

Your gracious presence will be highly appreciated and will add value to this important occasion.

We look forward to welcoming you! 🌿

09/10/2026