KARACHI: Climate change has affected mango produce in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Punjab, by 20pc, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan. The country may get late arrival of the crop in both the provinces owing to less production, it said.
“Pakistan is assessed to be one of the vulnerable countries to climate change. This vulnerability is mainly due to its geographic location and diverse climatic conditions. In order to reduce losses, Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) is one of the important steps towards identifying and assessing climate change adaptation challenges for Pakistan. It will align its adaptation needs and opportunities with goals and objectives of its sustainable development,” the survey added.
A growers’ community leader and agriculture expert Noor Muhammad said that an estimated 20pc of mango crop had been affected across Sindh, as unripe mango fruit had fallen due to gusty winds and recent duststorms and rains, while Punjab has also faced the same extent of losses owing to the prevalent weather situation.
He suggested the government to facilitate the growers through the use of new modern technology in order to save mango crops.
“Mango crop in south Punjab is likely to arrive late in the market due to changes in the weather. In this season, mango’s maturity crop will be less due to ongoing rains and gusty winds. It may also affect the exports of Chaunsa variety of mango,” said former Federal of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Horticulture Exports chairman Ahmad Jawad.
