Mango growers to get advisory through SMS

MULTAN: The Mango Research Institute (MRI) has started registration of mango growers for timely delivery of advisory on improving fruit quality through Short Message Services (SMS).

MRI Director Dr Hameedullah said that initially 4,000 mango growers would be registered for the service. He said the department would install SMS-caster in the system within next two to three days.

“Climate change is affecting mango orchards. However, the department is also carrying out research work to reduce threat of climate change on orchards, Hameedullah maintained.

He added that the SMS, containing proper advisory, would be delivered periodically to facilitate the growers. “There are 20,000 mango growers in the district and the range of short message service would be enhanced further in future,” he pointed out.



The MRI director said mango was an important fruit crop for local farmers. He said the Mango Research Institute was constituted in 2012 and it was playing a vital role in the promotion of quality mango and proper management of orchards.

“A good number of growers visit MRI on daily basis to seek guidance,” he added. He hoped that SMS facility would help improve mango quality, orchards management and reducing post harvest losses.

Earlier, the provincial government launched a programme to train farmers at grass-root level in killing fruit fly in mango orchards.

Farmers were also imparted training on Phytosanitary Measures i.e to keep the area under plants clean, to collect rotten or fallen fruit and bury it, and place the fruit on hard floor.

Farmers were also provided information and training on utilising pheromone traps, including Methyl Eugenol and Protein Hydrolysate to kill male and female fruit fly.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2017.