Climate change effects: 40pc shortfall feared in mango production

MULTAN: Mango is one of the most popular fruits in the world. People love its sweet and tart flavour and have been cultivating it for thousands of years. Unfortunately, mango flowering is sensitive to temperature and climate change is increasing global average temperatures and temperature variability. If mango flowering is prevented by temperature stress, mango trees cannot produce fruits.

The climate change is increasing average temperatures in the country, hitting the natural cycle that mango trees need. The warm temperatures were mandatory for a certain period for the trees to flower. However, climate change is hampering the flowering process, resulting in low yields.

Growers say mango harvesting in South Punjab is delayed, fearing a massive decline in production due to the climate change. Progressive mango grower Sarfraz Bhatti says the mango production may decline to 40pc due to climatic variations this season. The government should devise a strategy to combat the climate challenges. The exporters have reduced the export targets due to uncertainty in production and unavailability of cold chain infrastructure at airports, he adds.

He says the rising temperatures can lead to heat stress, which can affect the growth and development of mango trees. The higher temperatures can also accelerate the ripening process, reducing the quality and shelf life of mango fruits. He is of the view that the study on the impact of climate change on flowering induction in mangoes found cool temperatures are an essential climatic factor in flowering for mango trees. The study finds that the changes in temperature will affect flowering and fruit production. Sarfraz Bhatti says this year winter culminated almost in March, which is not beneficial for mangoes. Hot winds are necessary for a mango tree to flower, which is not the case this year due to the extended cloudy weather, hitting the production. “We have to introduce drought-resistant mango varieties with the potential to give good yield while consuming less water. Besides, we have to train our farmers on pest management to mitigate reliance on pesticides as the consumers are increasingly demanding pesticide-free fruits and vegetables,” he adds.

“Pakistan needs a proper weather monitoring and forecasting system in place to keep the farmers informed about weather conditions. Availability of cold storage and efficient transportation systems can also reduce post-harvest losses due to extreme temperatures,” he adds.

The mango market players say that climate change is the result of significant production lost in the third consecutive year.Mango farming is a lucrative venture for the farmers across the region. The global demand for mangoes has surged, driving up both domestic and international markets. Mangoes are exported to various countries, bolstering the agricultural economy and contributing to foreign exchange earnings for mango-producing nations.

The scientists say mango trees have a key role in affecting the environment. The mango trees are dense and large, making them excellent carbon sinks. Through photosynthesis, they absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and release oxygen, contributing to mitigating the effects of climate change. As one of the most beloved and widely cultivated fruits globally, mangoes are cherished for their luscious taste and rich nutritional profile.

The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association has set the target of 100,000 metric tons of mango exports in the current mango season.

APFVEA patron-in-chief Mian Waheed is of the view that effects of climate change have emerged as the biggest threat to the mango production, which can well be gauged from the fact that mango production has declined for the third year in a row. Pakistan produces 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes and of that, 70pc is produced in the Punjab, 29pc in Sindh and one per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This year, due to weather effects, the production of mango in the Punjab is 35 to 40 per cent, while in Sindh it is less than 20 per cent and thus the total production is feared to be reduced by 600,000 metric tons.

Waheed Ahmed says that long winters, rains and hailstorms followed by a severe heatwave have changed the pattern of agricultural diseases with the season. There is certainly a lack of serious efforts at the federal and provincial levels to protect the agricultural sector from the effects of climate change, particularly through research enabling the orchards of mangoes and other fruits to develop sufficient endurance to sustain against the tough weather conditions and reduction in disease resistance. Research-based solutions must be found urgently to address this, otherwise mango production and export will be at risk.

Waheed Ahmed emphasises that the agricultural research centres must work on an emergency basis to help the farmers deal with the effects of climate change.In order to continue the production and export of mangoes, it is imperative to develop new varieties of mangoes that are compatible with the climatic changes in Pakistan. Similarly, prevention of diseases and supply of suitable agricultural pesticides are also needed to minimise the effects of climate change, he concludes.