Production of dry fruits improving

ISLAMABAD—The Northern Areas are rich in natural resources with lower pest and disease pressure. The climate is dry and the land fertile. With these advantages and characteristics, the area produces varieties of fruits and vegetables, which is the major source of income of the people. Adoption of modern techniques can further augment production of these fruits and substantially increase the income of the farmers alleviating their poverty. The farmers of the area have been producing fruits, especially dried fruits, for centuries. The climatic condition is so favourable that almost every household has plants and trees of various fruits scattered all over the fields.
One of the major produce of the area is apricot. Trees of apricot are found everywhere, especially on marginal land which cannot sustain cash crops. Small communities in villages produce large quantities of apricot, but could not get a good price of their produce to improve their lot. According to buyers, if hygienic method is adopted and contamination-free apricot is available, it could fetch as much as Rs100 per kg at the farm which at present is sold at Rs40 per kg.—Agencies