Mango is rich sources of vitamins A, C and D. Besides, due to its excellent taste, flavour and juice, it is rightly called the king of fruits. Pakistan produces more than one million ton of quality mangoes and out of which about 48,000 metric tons are exported annually.
Mangoes are grown mainly in Punjab (65 per cent) and Sindh (37 per cent). Amongst mango-growing countries, Pakistan offers a wide choice of more than 110 varieties. Some of the most famous varieties being Sindhri, Dasehri, Anwar Ratol, Langra, Lal Badshah, Chaunsa. In Sindh, Sindhri is a leading variety.
Mango is not only the second major fruit crop of Pakistan after citrus. It is the most favourite fruit also for its pleasant flavour and an excellent taste and multiple uses. Its per capita consumption in Pakistan is about 6.7 kg. Besides being a rich source of vitamins, it also contains formidable amount of proteins, sugars, organic acids, carbohydrates and minerals.
Pakistan is lucky enough to be endowed with wide range of agro-climatic conditions, which permit the production of varieties of, both tropical and temperate fruits. Mango prefers deep, rich fertile soil, because of its long tep root system. It may be found flourishing on wide range of soil. Soil reaction is important than soil type. Agricultural practices such as application of fertilizers, farmyard manure, spray of insecticides and deep ploughing of mango orchards are very important for a good harvest. During the year 99-2000 the total area under mango cultivation was 90,700 hectares with an annual production of about one million tons, the average yield being 9.90 tons / hectare.
The Punjab, which contains the mango orchards on 0.12 million acres of land, produces about 0.6 million tons of this delicious fruit. The district of Rahim Yar Khan produces 0.18 million tons from its orchards spread over an area of 26.665 acres per annum. Sindh is the second home to this fruit of wonderful relish in the country. It produces Pakistan’s 34 per cent mango with a production of 0.31 million tons from its orchards cultivated on an area of 0.1 million acres. The share of other provinces is as under: NWFP maintains an area of only 549 acres and produces 2,292 tons of fruit; Balochistan produces about two per cent mango of the country with a production of 16.377 tons from its orchards spread on area of 4,786 acres.
Other mango-producing districts of Punjab along with their acreage, production and share in the province are Bahawalpur 18,000 acres, 0.1 million tons, 16.74 per cent, Multan 17,851 acres, 83,280 tons, 13.83 per cent. Vehari 10.351 acres, 48,289 tons, over 8 per cent, Muzaffargarh 7801 acres, 32,024 tons, 5.32 per cent. Khanewal 6074 acres, 27,210 tons, 4.52 per cent, Sahiwal 4700 acres, 21,051 tons, 3.5 per cent; Jhang 4376 acres, 17,146 tons, 2.85 per cent; Faisalabad 4109 acres, 16,268 tons, 2.7 per cent, and Okara 3109 acres, 13,930 tons, with a share of 2.31 per cent. Punjab’s other districts have a cumulative share of 10.5 per cent with a production of 63.266 tons from their orchards spread on an area of 15,777 acres of land.
Some of important diseases and pests are: fretfully, mango hopper, mango mealy bug, powdery mildew, scab, fruit rot, anthracnose, etc. A newly-noted mango tree malady, popularly known as “quick decline” is a threat to this fruit. So far no proper treatment of this disease has been discovered by the scientists. It has led to a decrease in the production by 1-2 per cent. In the initial stage, it can be controlled or preventive measures can help minimize this problem, which include: no crops should be cultivated in the orchards, digging of the soil around the tree must be shallow and irrigation water should not touch the trunk of the tree and only proper fertilizers should be used.
As far as the world mango production is concerned, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it is estimated at 29 million tons, India, with a share of 54 per cent, is the top-notcher with a production of 15.64 million tons, followed by China (11.46 per cent) with a production of 3.3 million tons. Mexico (5.3 per cent) produces 1.5 million tons. Thailand (4.68 per cent) 1.3 million tons and Pakistan (3.25 per cent) is placed fifth with a production of about one million. Thailand (4.68 per cent) 1.3 million tons and Pakistan (3.25 per cent) is placed fifth with a production of about one million tons.
The other mango-producing countries include Indonesia, Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil, Haiti, Egypt, Congo, Madagascar, Sudan and Tanzania. The exporting countries in order of quantum are as follows: Mexico (35.39 per cent) exports 0.2 million tons, Brazil (9.33 per cent) India (8.18 per cent), placed third, exports over 47,000 tons, Pakistan (6.6 per cent) placed fourth, exports, 38,000 tons USA is the top importing country of mango, importing 40 second biggest importer with a share of 12 per cent. The Pakistani mango is eaten in Dubai, Saudi Arabia UK, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, France, Kuwait, Singapore and Germany. In 1995, 18360 tons of mango, was exported fetching four million dollars only; but exports tripled to 53,440 tons in the year 2000-2001 fetching over 15 million dollars. More patronage and more facilities can multiply the exports of this delicious fruit, which is termed by some as the king of fruits.
Pakistan occupies an important position for growing world’s best mango varieties. Although, the yield is very low compared to other countries e.g. the average per hectare yield (tons) in India is 12,000; China 2142, Sri Lanka 1350; and Pakistan 914. The main reasons attributed to low yields are selection of land for initial planting , selection of suitable varieties, improper doses of fertilizers, lack of insect-pest control diseases. Pakistan is currently exporting mangoes to many countries on a mass scale. The main importing countries are UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. Apart from fresh mango recipes such as mango ice cream, mango milk shake, squash, etc. are favourite desserts. Mango juice, pulp, jelly, chutney, jam, marmalade, pickles are also being manufactured by renowned industrial houses in Pakistan and are also available in consumer packing.