Climate-Smart Tech Saves KP’s Dhakki Dates from Monsoon Losses

APP

DI Khan: Climate-smart technologies have helped farmers in Dera Ismail Khan reduce heavy losses during the recent monsoon rains, marking what officials described as a breakthrough step in protecting the country’s premium Dhakki date variety from climate-related risks.

The Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) in DI Khan has introduced a hybrid solar tunnel dryer that ensures a dust-free, hygienic, and uniform drying process. The system prevents rain damage, enhances fruit quality, and boosts the export potential of the GI-certified Dhakki date.

According to ARI officials, the technology has already been installed at 47 farms, where trials showed a sharp decline in post-harvest spoilage. Farmers reported that the new method ensured quality standards compatible with international markets, replacing traditional sun-drying practices that were vulnerable to sudden rains.

In addition to processing technology, ARI has also rolled out protective field measures. Small date trees are covered with Tyvek bags, while larger ones are shielded with umbrella-style plastic sheets to safeguard ripening bunches during rainfall. Experts, however, cautioned that covers must be removed promptly after showers to prevent trapped moisture, which could otherwise cause fungal infections.

Director ARI Abdul Qayyum Khan said the recent monsoon rains provided a practical test for the innovation. He noted that farmers using the hybrid dryer and protective field measures reported far fewer losses compared to traditional methods.

“Dhakki dates are not just a crop, they are the economic backbone of farming families and a symbol of this region’s identity,” he said. Describing the technology as a “game-changing, income-boosting solution,” he added that the hybrid dryer improves product quality, reduces post-harvest losses, and expands export opportunities.

He further said the government-backed initiative is being scaled up across the district, with farmers receiving technical training from ARI and directly benefiting from the new system.

Dr. Shahzada Arshad Saleem Saddozai, Head of ARI’s Food Technology Laboratory, said the technology had proven vital during the rainy season. “Farmers using the system managed to preserve fruit quality and secure their incomes at a time when others faced serious losses,” he said, calling the dryer “a big step forward” in climate-stressed conditions.

Local agricultural expert Malik Shoukat Ali also praised the innovation, calling Dhakki dates “an asset of Dera Ismail Khan that must be safeguarded with modern interventions.”

Farmers, too, shared positive feedback. Ghulam Rasool, a grower from Kathgarh, said the hybrid dryer saved his crop from heavy losses during the recent rains. “In previous years, we suffered major damage whenever showers came during ripening, but this time the technology protected my dates and I was able to sell them at a better price,” he remarked.

Despite these gains, officials noted that this season’s heavy rains had still damaged several orchards, underlining the urgency of expanding climate-smart measures to more growers.

Director Qayyum expressed confidence that the integrated approach would strengthen the Dhakki date’s position in both local and international markets. “Our vision is to transform challenges into opportunities,” he said. “By equipping farmers with sustainable technologies, we are preserving livelihoods, boosting rural incomes, and ensuring that Dhakki dates continue to bring pride and prosperity to this region.”