ASF has provided matching grant support to a number of FEGs, in northern areas, representing not less than 150 small scale farmers, including women, for setting up Apricot Drying Units, which bring tremendous value addition to the product by hygienic drying of the apricots. The project includes the establishment of a Drying Tunnel made out of Iron, Glass, Plastic and Parachute Material. The Tunnel has 6 foot high iron racks with wooden trays. The trays have apricots placed in them, after being sorted, graded and sulphured.
It is worth mentioning here that around 5,000 small scale farmers in the same region will be trained in hygienic drying of apricots in another project funded by ASF under the category of commercial private sector extension services.
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