Post-harvest loss of mango crop squeezing farmers financially

HYDERABAD: Leading growers and researchers have pointed out the problem of post-harvest loss of the mango crop and urged to address the issue by improving research on early harvest varieties.

Dr Zulfiqar Yousfani said, “When you visit any mango farm after June 20, you may see ripe mangoes on the ground around the trees. This needs to stop.” Explaining the reason for this loss, he said it happened when mangoes from Punjab flood local markets.

He made these comments while addressing a seminar on “Mango quality production, opportunities and challenges” organised by the Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam in collaboration with Sindh Abadgar Board, Sindh Agriculture Research Institute Tandojam and Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) on Wednesday.

About 80 percent of the farmers in Sindh grow Sindhri, which starts vanishing from the markets after June 20. “If today, the price of an 11kg Sindhri box is Rs700, it may drop to only Rs100 after June 20,” Dr Yousafi said, explaining that when the mangoes just dropped out of trees and went to waste, it was not just a financial loss, but an emotional loss for the farmers too.

Nabi Bux Sathio, another farmer, leading Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, said the way forward was value-addition of crops like onion, chilli, tomato and various fruits, including mango. “We can manage postharvest losses by adapting to modern practices,” he said.

“We usually invest in crops production and wait for three-four months to get return. We have to initiate value-addition to earn without waiting for three or four months,” he added.

Reminding about the agriculture processing zones, he said there was need to revive those at district level to engage farmers and promote agribusinesses.

Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Vice President, Sindh Abadgar Board, suggested to high density crops and fruits to earn more benefit. He has established a high density mango orchard on four acres of land, and was waiting to harvest the products.

“Traditionally, farmers plant 35-38 trees on one acre land. But following the high-density method, they can plant 1,000 trees on the same piece of land and increase yield,” he added.

Mahboobul Haque, CEO, Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), said there were various agribusiness opportunities for farmers which they should avail instantly. There were plans to strengthen the supply chain by setting up cold storage, transportation and distribution mechanisms.

“Presently, public-private partnership may play an effective role to promote agriculture related businesses.” He offered support to farmers for establishing small-scale value-addition plants at their farms.

He said though in some cases even commercial banks were reluctant about lending to farmers, SEDF was ready to provide grants to farmers to promote agribusiness.

Abdul Haque Memon of Sate Bank of Pakistan (SBP) shared about the process of loan management to benefit farmers for establishing cold storage and other facilities. He said they have already issued directives to all banks for providing loans to farmers for agribusiness. He asked farmers to apply for business loans.

Abdul Rahim Soomor, Secretary, Sindh Agriculture, responding to queries, said agro processing zones were established in 2000 in nine cities of Sindh, which were being revived through public-private partnership. “We will involve Sindh investment board in the agribusiness,” he said.

Dr Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor, SAU, proposed establishing “farmers’ markets” in major cities of Sindh, and to engage producers to sell their own products directly to the consumers.

He urged the government to provide farmers with seed money to establish and promote businesses, as the farmers did not have enough finances to do so on their own.

Marri also spoke about marketing various mango varieties in Karachi and other big markets and shopping malls.