Initiative launched to help chili farmers achieve export quality standards

KARACHI: Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE) launched an initiative for improving local quality of red chilies to reach the required export standards. According to details, the Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE) has distributed geotextile drying sheets to chili farmers to raise the quality and safety of the country’s chili and widen the market and export opportunities available to farmers. Under this joint effort with Verdora Ventures, local farmers will replace open-soil drying with a clean, dedicated surface which in turn will help growers produce cleaner, safer, better-graded chili, lifting incomes and strengthening food security across the value chain. The geotextile sheets keep the crop off the soil and help it dry faster and more evenly, controlling aflatoxin, reducing dirt and contamination, cutting post-harvest losses and improving grade, color, and fineness, which ultimately help growers widen the market and export opportunities. The sheets were distributed at Kunri, Sindh in an event which was attended by senior leadership of FACE and partners including Muhammad Ahmad, Head of Partnerships, FACE, who joined as Chief Guest; Tahir Naeem, Sona Agri Hub; and representatives of Verdora Ventures. Muhammad Ahmad, Head of Partnerships FACE has said that food safety and quality are the foundation of market access. “By helping farmers dry chili cleanly and control aflatoxin, we are protecting their crops and widening the opportunities open to them. We are pleased to distribute these sheets and to work alongside Verdora Ventures in support of our farming communities, ” he added. Syed M Mahd, CEO Verdora Ventures thanked FACE for their efforts and support in bringing this initiative to the field. Aflatoxin and contamination have long stood between our growers and the prices and markets their hard work deserves. A cleaner drying surface is a simple change that can open real doors, better quality, wider market access and new export opportunities and ultimately, better livelihoods for the farming families at the heart of our value chain, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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