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FIRST TRAINING AT SWAT

Three Days Training Workshop on Fruit processing and Preservation at Mingora Swat

Organized by

PCSIR Laboratories Complex Peshawar

in

Collaboration with Pak Army Mingora Region SWAT

(From January 9th

to January 11th

2017)

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Initiative taken by PCSIR for the development of Area:

In order to take tangible steps for uplifting and development of socio-economic

condition of the Swat region, the worthy Chairman PCSIR, Dr. Shahzad Alam paid

several visits to Swat region and held meetings with representatives of Swat

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, High ups of Pak Army and other dignitaries of

the area, Local Administration and the newly elected Nazims.

The Worthy Chairman PCSIR has offered its products and services for the

development of the area in a seminar organized with the titled “Role of PCSIR for

Technology Development and its Impact on National Economy” at Mingora

Swat, which was attended by Honorable Federal Minister for Science & Technology

Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain as Chief Guest, Chairman PCSIR, Brigade Commander

Mingora Swat, Brig. Zafar Iqbal, President & Executive Members of Swat Chamber

of Commerce, Members of the local government bodies and about 140 persons

representing different industries and other areas.

Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman PCSIR showed his full commitment for the exploitation

and improvement of these natural resources through provision of technical expertise

of PCSIR when and where required.

Brigade Commander Mingora Swat, Brig. Zafar Iqbal, pointed out post harvest

losses of fruits and vegetables of this region and urged for its control and value

addition by provision of technical assistance in this regard.

The worthy Chairman PCSIR, Dr. Shahzad Alam especially directed PCSIR

Peshawar to conduct trainings on Fruit processing and Preservation.

In compliance with the directive of the Chairman PCSIR, the Director General PLC

Engr. Bashir Ahmad constituted and deputed a team of Experts headed by Dr. Javed

Abbas Bangash, Muhammad Farhan Nasir and Muhammad Javid for initially

conducting a “Three Days Training Workshop on Fruit processing and

Preservation” at Swat.

a) Scope of Training:

Three Days training from 9th January 2017 to 11th January 2017 was imparted to

local community of Swat region at “Women Vocational Technical Training

Centre”. Initially processing and preservation of Apple, Citrus, Tomato and other

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vegetables were demonstrated and from which the following products were

developed.

1. Apple Jam

2. Apple Chips

3. Apple Chuttni

4. Citrus Jam

5. Citrus Squash

6. Tomato Ketchup

7. Fresh Tomato Preservation

8. Red Syrup

b) Advertisement for the Training:

It is pertinent to mention that the aforesaid activity was materialized in

collaboration with Pak Army of the region by arranging venue for the training and

participants through advertisement and their full involvement throughout the said

training workshop. However, the technical expertise, processing and training

material/equipment were provided by PCSIR Peshawar.

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Advertisement for Training published in local news paper

c) Participation in the training:

The training was attended by thirty five (35) participants.

d) Training Session - Day 1:

Dr. Javed Abbas Bangash briefed the participants about PCSIR and aims and

objectives of the present training. After briefing, the formal training was started with

theoretical lecture on fruit processing and preservation techniques which were

followed by practical demonstration of apple jam and apple chips preparation by

Master Trainer Muhammad Javid.

Brig. Zafar Iqbal, Commandant Swat Region graced the occasion with his personal

visit during practical demonstration and his productive conversation motivated the

participants as well as the team of PCSIR. The activity was vigorously appreciated

by the Commandant and he promised with the participants that if they prepare the

fruit products after acquiring the relevant skill, the same would be promoted and

commercialized locally with the help of Pak army.

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Pictorial View of Training

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Visit of Brig. Zafar Iqbal, Commandant Swat Region during practical demonstration

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e) Training Session - Day 2:

After delivering a lecture about the fruits to be processed and preserved on that

day the practical demonstration was started. The products developed were:

Citrus Jam

Citrus Squash

Red Syrup

Vegetables (Green Chili, Carrot, Bitter gourd) were processed initially for

pickle preparation on next day.

Pictorial View of Training

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f) Training Session - Day 3:

This day the training was started with practical demonstration after a brief lecture

on the food items to be processed. The following products were prepared:

Vegetable Pickle

Tomato Ketchup

Fresh tomato Preservation

Apple Chattni

Pictorial View of Training

1. Concluding Ceremony/ Certificate Distributuion:

Concluding ceremony was chaired by Engr. Bashir Ahmad Director General PCSIR

Peshawar and accompanied by Col. Khurram Zeeshan.

Col. Khurram Zeeshan, in his address, thanked Director General PCSIR Peshawar

and his team for organizing such a fruitful training workshop for the local community

of Swat region. He appreciated the sizable participation of local community in the

workshop and also lauded the products prepared during this training. He vowed that

such type of activity should be continued in future.

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Engr. Bashir Ahmad DG PCSIR Peshawar in his address commended the initiative

of organizing such a productive workshop and felt the pressing need to exploit the

resources of the Swat region which will prove a gateway for its socio-economic uplift.

He also urged upon the trainees to utilize the expertise gained during the training

upto the maximum extent in the days to come.

He especially thanked the army team for their meritorious support to make this event

a success story.

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