Mango value addition must to address losses due to low production, exports amid COVID-19.

MULTAN -- Culturally rich South Punjab is also known as "Kingdom of Mango" for its exotic flavour and aroma of the matchless fruit (mango), which is popular not only in the country but across the globe.

Mango orchards are located over thousands of acres in the region. Multan is at top in its cultivation. Mango orchards are located over 31,000 hectares in the district. Similarly, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal are at second, third and fourth position with cultivation area 26,000, 19,000 and 14,000 hectares respectively.

Among hundreds of varieties of mangoes, only 25 to 30 are being cultivated on commercial scale. The varieties of the king of the fruit are Chaunsa, Sindhri, Langra, Dausehri, Anwar Ratol, Saroli, Samar Bahisht, Toota Pari, Fajri, Neelum, Alphanso, Almas, Sanwal, Surkha, Sunera and Desi.

"Pakistani mangoes are matchless in taste and aroma. An average production of mangoes is about 1.8 million metric tonnes annually in the country. It used to export approximately one hundred thousand tonnes ", said President Mango Growers Association Malik Zafar Mahay while speaking to reporter, here.

About 40 to 50 percent low production is being feared in the ongoing season due to low fruiting in orchards, stated Zafar adding, farmers will bear losses owing to low production. Similarly, Pandemic COVID-19, will also affect exports and ultimately farmers will face more losses.

The President Mango Growers Association stated that high cost of inputs especially fertilizers, pesticides, electricity bills and climate changes were main reasons behind low fruiting.

He observed that government should facilitate growers to promote the fruit and enable growers to eke out handsome earning. He suggested that government should introduce vegetable and fruit markets at union council level. The introduction of markets at union council level will help increase competition and ultimately it would offer good prices to farmers against their yield.

In present markets, the middlemen exploit growers and demand at least 10 percent commission against the recommended commission of 2.5 percent.

Similarly, the middlemen seeks about two kilogramme more weight. They pay for 40 kilogramme mango but demand 42 kilogramme from growers, he stated. They also make cut in price in name of cleaning of the fruit.

The farmers have no option but to sell their produce by the middlemen. Thus, the middlemen exploit farmers economically, stated Zafar Mahay.

"Due to COVID-19, I...