August 12, 2004

Pakistan is home to a diverse range of grains, vegetables and fruits. Our country relies heavily on its agricultural sector, therefore a great deal of importance is given to fertile soil and irrigation as well as how to improve the quality of our produce.

Punjab, the largest province, is home to some of the most popular fruits and grains which are consumed nationally as well as exported abroad.Thousands of acres of land are used for the growth of apricots, apples, peaches, grapes and melons. Travelling by road within Punjab during the harvest season one can gaze upon stretches of wheat, sugar-cane and fruit orchards and the thousands of people that work on the land.

Over the past two decades small agricultural villages in Balochistan and Sindh are producing some of the world’s best chikoos, papayas, and bananas.

Banana is a fruit famous for its health benefits as well as its taste. The large-sized banana grown in Pakistan is available for local consumption and exported throughout the year. Bananas are included in our diet due to their enormous health value and are also necessary ingredients in “fruit chaats”.

Chikoos (otherwise known as sapodilla) are grown mainly in Balochistan where the chikoo farms depend on irrigation from the Hub river. They have to be transplanted from a seedling or by obtaining a grafting from the mature plant. The quality of the fruit relies on the stock of the plant and how well it is nurtured. Grown in ideal conditions the chikoo true becomes a breeding ground for honeybees and the honey obtained from their hives is extremely sweet. The delicious small-sized chikoos which have a caramel taste, can easily be grown in gardens at home.

Papayas, which are believed to have originated in Central America, are now grown in most sub-tropical countries. The weather and soil conditions of Sindh and Balochistan are very suitable for papayas. They are either transplanted or grafted in the same way as chikoos from a mature plant. Two or three male papaya trees are enough to fertilize a complete farm of female trees. The male tree does not produce fruit but does have medicinal value. Consuming an unripe papaya can be extremely dangerous as it contains a large amount of acid and is harmful to the skin.

A full grown ripened papaya is juicy and sweet with a taste different from other fruits. Papayas also serve as digestive aids and are therefore extremely popular in countries such as Pakistan and India due to the rich food consumed in these countries. The fruit has a high water content and is low in fat. The variety of papaya that we obtain from the super-markets is Hawaiian, a breed that is famous for its taste and bright orange or pinkish flesh. The Hawaiian papaya weighs about a kilo and is superior in taste and appearance to the Mexican breed which weighs upto 10 pounds.

Papayas form a very important ingredient in cuisines around the world. The Thai and Spanish are known for adding papayas to their main dishes and even desserts. At home, we can use papayas to make salsa, salad dressing or even refreshing breakfast smoothies.

Watermelon is a rich, juicy, popular fruit that can be a sight for sore eyes in the subcontinent during unbearable weather conditions. This fruit comes in different shapes, sizes, colours and tastes. The watermelon is known for its low-calorie nutritional value. Also, the watermelon extract has a cooling sensation and is a favourite among beauty experts who recommend its use for the skin and the face for an oil-free, fresh and supple look. Watermelon also contains high concentrations of anti-oxidants and other elements that are known to help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They can also be used as an appetizer, and mixed with other fruits and vegetables to prepare salads and desserts.

Fruits and vegetables are a commodity which is widely grown around the world. Their nutritional and health value cannot be emphasized enough, not to mention how aesthetically pleasing we find them as we walk past the fruit and vegetable vendors on the streets.

In many south Asian countries such as Malaysia and Srilanka, due to the extraordinary shapes and patterns these fruits can be carved into, they are often used as adornments at weddings and dinners.

All in all, all living creatures rely on fruits and vegetables to provide sustenance and enjoyment alike.

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