September 15, 2003	Monday	Rajab 17, 1424

Mango growers of Pakistan have no complaints against the current crop except that the price of the fruit was unusually low this year and that Multan airport that serves as the most used and obvious point for the export of mangoes is still far from equipped for handling perishable commodities.

That handicap continues to undermine export of mangoes regarded as the monarch of all that can be surveyed in the field of fruits. Among the varieties of mango, Chaunsa has moved ahead and by a distance. No wonder: it has a heavenly sweet taste that lingers on the palate long after one has consumed it. This is not to say that other varieties are far behind. Sindhri has its tasteful pulp, Samar Bahisht its soft sweetness and Anwar Ratol its sweet syrup with a whiff of sourness. Other varieties have their plus points too.

While growers may be right in feeling that the fruit is priced lower than its quality and their labour, people are generally grateful to them for making a delightful dessert that is nourishing to boot available at an affordable price. Mangoes are certainly among the gifts of nature to the people of Pakistan.

Realizing the popularity and potential of Chaunsa and the general demand for mangoes across the world, growers have been experimenting with it and have come up with varieties that, while retaining the original taste, are different and can be grown after the traditional season is over.

These varieties are kala and safaid chaunsa that are currently reaching the market although the mango season is essentially over. Not only that. Trees in some orchards are still laden with kala and safaid chaunsa. One can expect them to last another few weeks. There is the prospect of mangoes in early days of winter, a development likely to be welcomed by a majority of people.

Fruits of Pakistan are potentially notable foreign exchange earners but they have not been exploited anywhere their true worth. That has been so because a majority of orchard owners comprises traditional growers who have not been able to match their pace with the requirements of the export trade and meet the present day demands of an international clientele.

They grow excellent quality fruit. However, some vital aspects of export of fruits are beyond them. Picking fruit in a clean manner so that there is no mark on their skin is important; skin marked with any manner is rejected by major importers, particularly in the western countries.

Packaging is equally vital. Unfortunately, packaging of fruits has not been accorded due priority in the country with the result that it has become a major limitation for the export of Pakistani fruits. Grading is another essential quality for exported fruit. Sprays are carelessly used to protect fruit from pests but their residue can put off importers in western countries who care for their customers and would take every precaution to provide them fruits untainted with the faintest of suspicion.

Transportation on rickety vehicles plying on uneven roads and lack of proper storage facilities also hamper export. Fruits are damaged during transportation and non-availability of storage affects quality as well as causes waste and loss of income for exporters. The quality of farm-to-market roads needs to be improved if fruit export is to be promoted and developed into a major source of forex earning.

It must also be borne in mind that fruits, mangoes in particular, are not just a source of earnings for the country or provide jobs in rural areas but serve as a symbol of Pakistan’s culture. The Export Promotion Bureau participates in foreign trade and industry festivals and exhibitions but it is time it organized mango shows abroad also.

The idea does no seem to have occurred to the managers of the country’s exports who concentrate on serving powerful lobbies and influential exporters who thrive on exploiting the administration in the name of earning foreign exchange. Some one should sit down and count if they are earning more for Pakistan or earning more from Pakistan.

There has been concern from some quarters that Pakistan is perhaps losing out in the battle of supremacy in mangoes as some countries have moved past the country in productivity. This development is not to be instantly dismissed but the decisive factor is not quantity; quality clinches the day in the end.

On this count, Pakistani mangoes are superior to the fruit from any other part of the world and that is what needs to be pursued: maintaining a quality that cannot be matched by competitors needs to be stressed. Fortunately, some of the growers in the country are trying to manage their orchards on the most modern and scientific lines and they are conscious of the fact that quality is their edge over exporters from other countries.

This is correct approach that should ensure a place on the top for Pakistani mangoes in comparison with exports from other countries, particularly in quality conscious markets that have a greater capacity to pay for good and exclusive taste. All is however not well with regard to productivity. The produce of mangoes per hectare was never high in the country and it has gone down over the years while it has soared high in many mango-growing countries. A serious effort has to be made in this direction. Mango growers and agriculture ministries and departments should pool resources to undertake research for further improvement in taste and quality as well as for raising produce.

Another important issue is aging trees. This may be a factor in low productivity in many orchards. In recent years, large numbers of trees have been felled because age plus disease had undermined their productivity. Orchards should be regularly surveyed to determine quality and health of trees and new orchards should be planned along scientific lines.