April 9, 2006	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1427

ISLAMABAD, April 8: The production of mango is likely to fall this year because of cold wave that hit the country in early January. An official at the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock told Dawn on Saturday that according to preliminary estimates, the mango production would decline by 25 per cent this year, over the last year.

The official said that the severe cold wave, which hit the country during the last few months, badly damaged nurseries and young trees. It was observed that frost damaged younger plants in the Punjab up to 30 per cent. Older plants, however, remained relatively safe.

According to the official, the overall damage was estimated to be between 20 and 25 per cent. He said the horticulture board had already started a survey in Sindh to get a clear picture of the damage.

Since the flowering stage has just begun in Punjab, it is hard to make a final assessment of the extent of damage. A more authentic damage assessment will be possible when orchards enter the fruit formation stage. If the fruit were less in number, it would be bigger in size and might compensate some of frost loss, the official added.