Floods extensively devastate mango orchards

Thousands of trees destroyed, farmers in distress

The recent floods have left a trail of destruction across the riverine belt of South Punjab, wiping out thousands of mature mango trees that took farmers years of hard work to cultivate.

The damage has pushed many growers into deep stress and uncertainty, making them reluctant to replant orchards despite the region's rich tradition of mango farming.

The floods, described by local farmers as among the worst in recent memory, completely destroyed several mango orchards along the riverbanks.

According to mango grower Shahid Hameed Bhutta, the destruction had shaken the confidence of small and medium-scale farmers. "Most of them are under extreme stress. Their 10 years of continuous hard work has gone waste," he said. "They had sacrificed other crops to focus on mangoes, but now their orchards are finished.

Bhutta, who owns a large nursery of mango saplings, said the demand from farmers in the riverine areas has sharply declined this season.

"Farmers whose orchards were washed away are hesitant to buy new plants. Only progressive farmers with sufficient financial resources are replanting," he added.

The average cost of a quality mango sapling is around Rs500, which makes replanting an entire orchard a costly undertaking.

For small farmers already burdened by loans and input costs, the idea of re-investing after such massive losses seems nearly impossible.

Another affected farmer, Nasir Abbas, shared his frustration, saying that his years of effort had gone to waste. "It's painful to see empty fields where mango trees once stood. I've not planted new trees because I fear another flood could destroy them again," he said.

The farmers called for government support in the form of subsidies, soft loans, and technical assistance to restore their confidence in replanting. Without such interventions, they fear that the once-thriving mango orchards of South Punjab may gradually disappear from the riverine belt.