How Climate Technology Is Saving DI Khan’s Dhakki Dates

APP

DI Khan: For generations, farmers in D.I Khan have relied on the region’s prized Dhakki dates as a major source of income. But increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, particularly untimely monsoon rains during the harvest season, have threatened both their livelihoods and one of Pakistan’s most valuable agricultural products.

Now, a climate-smart intervention introduced by the Agriculture Research Institute (ARI) in DI Khan is offering farmers a new way to protect their crops from weather-related losses.

At the centre of this effort is a hybrid solar tunnel dryer, a technology designed to provide a controlled, hygienic and efficient drying process for Dhakki dates. Unlike traditional open-air drying methods, which leave fruit exposed to dust, moisture and sudden rainfall, the solar-powered system allows farmers to preserve quality even during challenging weather conditions.

Agriculture officials say the technology has already been installed at 47 farms across the district, where initial trials have shown a significant reduction in post-harvest losses. Farmers using the system reported improved fruit quality and better market value, particularly for export markets where strict quality standards are required.

The innovation comes at a crucial time for Dhakki dates, a Geographical Indication (GI)-certified product associated with the identity and economy of DI Khan.

“Dhakki dates are not just a crop; they are the economic backbone of farming families and a symbol of this region’s identity,” said ARI Director Abdul Qayyum Khan.

He said the recent monsoon rains provided a real-world test of the new technology, with farmers using the hybrid dryer and protective measures experiencing far fewer losses compared with those depending on conventional drying methods.

Protecting orchards from unpredictable weather

Alongside the solar tunnel dryer, ARI has introduced protective measures directly at the farm level. Small date trees are being covered with Tyvek bags, while larger trees are protected with umbrella-style plastic sheets to shield ripening fruit from rainfall.

Experts, however, have advised farmers to remove protective coverings soon after rains to prevent moisture buildup, which can increase the risk of fungal infections.

Officials believe combining modern drying technology with field-level protection can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions while maintaining the traditional quality of Dhakki dates.

A lifeline during climate challenges

Dr Shahzada Arshad Saleem Saddozai, Head of ARI’s Food Technology Laboratory, said the hybrid dryer has become particularly valuable 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, describing the technology as a major step forward in climate-resilient agriculture.

According to him, the intervention not only reduces waste but also strengthens farmers’ ability to compete in national and international markets.

Local agricultural expert Malik Shoukat Ali said Dhakki dates represent one of DI Khan’s greatest agricultural assets and require modern solutions to protect them from emerging threats.

Farmers see a change

For growers, the difference is already visible.

Ghulam Rasool, a farmer from Kathgarh, recalled how rain during previous seasons often destroyed a significant portion of his harvest.

“In previous years, sudden showers during ripening caused major losses. This time, the technology protected my crop and helped me sell my dates at a better price,” he said.

Despite the progress, officials acknowledge that heavy rains this season still affected several orchards, highlighting the need to expand climate-smart technologies to more farmers.

ARI officials say their long-term goal is to make modern protection and processing systems accessible across the district, ensuring that climate challenges do not threaten the future of Dhakki dates.

For DI Khan’s farmers, the shift from traditional methods to climate-resilient technology represents more than a farming upgrade, it is a step towards protecting a regional heritage, securing rural incomes and keeping Pakistan’s premium dates competitive in global markets.