MANGO, the king of fruits which apart from serving as desert, is also a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, sugar, carbohydrates, protein, fats, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, fibre, water and many more. Among the 160 varieties worldwide the few selected grown in Pakistan are Sindhri, Chaunsa, Dasehri, Langra, Sonaro, Anwar Ratole, Samar Bahisht, Beghanpali etc. These have an edge over others because of the taste and nutritional value.
Mango is the second largest fruit grown after citrus and occupies about 16 per cent of the total fruit area of 6,52,000 hectares. From the total area of 1,03,000 hectares around 52.4 per cent is in Punjab with Multan and Bahawalpur being predominant.
Sindh’s share is 45.6 per cent with Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas being the main tracts. Of the total 10,35,000 tons production Punjab’s share is 66 per cent and that of Sindh 32.5 per cent. The remaining less than two per cent is produced in Balochistan and the NWFP.
The share of mango production has declined from 28 per cent in 1975-76 to nearly 18 per cent as of now. Pakistan in 70s was the second largest producer in the world, It now stands at the sixth position. The average yield per hectare in 1975-76 was over 11 tons which too, has dropped to 9-10 tons as against the world’s average 25 tons per hectare yield, thus creating a big gap. Despite low yields, the country has managed to earn a lot from its export which shows great potential of increasing mango production.. This is evident from the table.
The table shows that the mango export was around five per cent of its total production till 2002-03. The highest export of 8.5 per cent of its production ever was achieved last year. This reflects poor production and export due to mismanagement. Ineffective measures to control the malformation of fruit results in yield reduction by 10-15 per cent and in extreme cases up to 60-80 per cent, both in grafted and seedling mangoes. Other diseases in need of control are anthracnose, powdery mildew, dieback, stem rot, root rot, sooty mould, pink diseases and more. The die back disease causes death of six trees per annum in a 25 acre orchard.
Mango hoper is one of the most damaging insects during flowering season. Other insects like thrips and termites could also be harmful if not handled properly. These diseases can be controlled through the application of balanced fertilizer, pruning of affected parts and burning or burying it, and the use of relevant fungicides. Timely and at the right growth stage, pesticides spray can control the infestation.
Other causes of low yield are imbalanced fertilizer application, lack of irrigation at critical stages due to supply on turn basis, over irrigation, and the lack of management awareness among farmers. Several mango orchards have been cut down due to taxation and competition with other crops.
Banana in Sindh generates more income than a mango orchard, while income from cotton and sugarcane is equal to mango. Under such circumstances growers should be encouraged by the government through subsidies and other facilities. Gardens of 10 acre or more should be provided an industry status and the permissible facilities.
Water-logging and salinity too, affect mango yield, especially in Sindh. To control it, gypsum after soil analysis may be added in addition to fertilizer. Heavy irrigation may be given to leach down salts beyond the root zone. The water table should be at least 10 feet below the ground surface. The yield declines with the rising water table and decreases by the time it reaches about five feet below the ground surface. The desired level could be achieved by providing suitable drainage system. This could increase the yield up to 22 per cent.
Tubewells may be installed to control water-logging wherever necessary. If the water is brackish then sulfurous acid generator will improve the quality. Most of our soils are calcarious.
In a country like Pakistan reeling under heavy debt, the diversification of exports will help economy. Greater diversification of cereal and horticulture crops and their bye-products will assist in growth. Mango has great export potentials.
In 2003-04, though mango export was 8.5 per cent of the total production but the country earned $23.5 million. Its export can be increased by removing the following constraints.
Our major export goes to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the UK, France, Germany, Singapore etc., are other important importers of Pakistani mango. Efforts are required to extend our export to Far-east, Europe and the US for which mango shows need to be arranged within the country and outside where good potentials exist.
Recently, China has agreed to import mango provided it is hot-water-dipped. Policy decision to exploit the potential to China should be undertaken by the government. It is feared that the heavy rainfall and hailstorms during flowering stage this year may affect the yield in Punjab. The situation is further compounded by the prolonged low temperature spell till April and early May. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew, blossom blight, anthracnose etc., have caused significant damage in both Punjab and Sindh. It may affect the overall production by 10-15 per cent. However, there are views which state that despite these constraints mango production will increase by 15-20 per cent if all is kept under control. The actual situation will get clear once the harvest is completed.