PHDEB establishes collection point in Haripur

Lahore: The Haripur Collection Point, being established by the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Board (PHDEB) in an area of 4.8 acres in Haripur, is expected to be completed within two months. This is one of the four collection points to be constructed by the PHDEB, providing modern facilities of collection, auction and cold storage facilities for fruit and vegetable traders.

The Board had planned these four points at Haripur, Batkhela (NWFP), Loralai and Khuzdar in Balochistan. PHDEB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamoon Sadiq said the collection point of Haripur would be ready for inauguration by the end of next month (February).

He stated that applications for the allotment of 45 shops and commercial area were invited. Almost all shops and commercial area had been allotted and issuance of intimation letters to the successful applicants was in process, he added.

The facilities to be provided in these collection points include fruit shed, vegetable shed, auction shed, shops, weigh bridge, market office, cold storage (1000 tons capacity), access roads, water supply and sewerage facilities and support facilities, Shamoon added.

Regarding Swat, Loralai and Khuzdar collection points, he said these had been delayed due to various reasons. 'Expected project benefits are increased commercial activity. Establishment of whole-sales market and cold storage facilities would enhance the pace and volumes of business by providing market place for commercial transactions for the domestic and international trade.

With appropriate market infrastructure, the supplies would be regulated by moving supplies from surplus to deficit areas and also by holding surplus in cold store and releasing when there is a need. These factors would help create market equilibrium and ultimately price stability to the advantage of both the farmers as well the consumers,' he said.

According to him, establishment of such a point with modern facilities and cold storage would result in reduction of waste, directly enhancing availability of the produce. Further, the cold storage facilities would result in supplies during off-season which otherwise may not be possible.

On time placement of products in the cold storage would help preserve their quality and improve shelf life. It would also avoid food contamination caused by microbial activity, thus assuring availability of quality food products.

'The development and operation of the physical infrastructure would not only create direct jobs but indirect jobs as well resulting in improved per capita income and ultimately a better living standard of people of the area. An appropriate marketing and refrigeration network allows a greater variety of products to be marketed and distributed among population and therefore, a balanced diet from a nutrition point of view can be achieved,' Shamoon added.