UNIDO’s PAFAID upgraded Baluchistan’s first food processing facility for women under the Agriculture Extension Department. This UNIDO initiative upgraded the facility to meet international standards, starting with crucial infrastructure upgrades, civil works were addressed, the food processing area was standardized, sanitation was improved with drainage repairs, and a reliable power supply with UPS backup was ensured. Under this initiative, the facility received equipment including dedicated workspaces, fruit processing machinery, storage solutions, and quality control tools. This isn’t just a facility upgrade; it’s an empowerment initiative. By training 11 women staff members on efficient operation, the program lays the groundwork for future success. The department plans to extend this training to women across 34 districts in Balochistan equipping them to create value-addedproducts like jams, jellies, and pickles, transforming fruits and vegetables into income streams. This upgraded facility can train 600 women in a year. This initiative empowers women, strengthens skills, and uplifts livelihoods across the region.

The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Department, Government of Balochistan, Mir Ali Madad Jattak, inaugurated the upgraded facility and emphasized the importance of food safety and women’s participation in agriculture. He highlighted that women’s involvement would significantly contribute to apple value chain development in the province.

The Project for Agri-Food and Agro-industry Development Assistance (PAFAID) is a four-year project funded by @JicaPakistan and implemented by UNIDO in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan. It aims to improve compliance capacities and value-addition practices in the cattle meat value chain in KP province and the apple value chain in Balochistan province.