USAID Introducing Innovative Technologies for the Development of Pakistan's Agriculture Sector.

KARACHI -- On April 29, Consul General JoAnne Wagner inaugurated the Electronic Beam (E-Beam) irradiation facility established through support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded U.S.-Pakistan Partnerships for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) program. The E-Beam irradiation facility benefits the agriculture sector by decreasing post-harvest food losses due to spoilage and deterioration in quality. The technology also extends the shelf life of foods, and has the potential to increase market access as well as open up new export opportunities.

'We are pleased that the U.S. Government's efforts are helping transform Pakistan's agriculture sector by introducing innovative technologies,' said Consul General JoAnne Wagner. 'I'm confident that this technology will prove to be a game changer for Pakistan's agricultural exports.' E-Beam irradiation technology allows for fast and efficient sanitization of food and non-food products through an electron beam passed through packaged commodities...