Middlemen avoid orchard contracts

MULTAN:

A decline in middlemen seeking mango orchard contracts has been noticed across South Punjab, causing concerns for growers amid falling production due to climate change this season.

Farmers in key mango-producing districts including Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal term the usual trend of leasing orchards to middlemen almost absent this year due to heavily damaged yields.

The region, which produces nearly 70 per cent of Pakistan's mangoes, is facing a remarkable drop in output owing to adverse weather conditions. Growers report excessive flowering but minimal fruit setting, while recent hailstorms damaged whatever crop had developed.

Local mango grower Laique Shikhana said middlemen are reluctant to take financial risks this season as production remains highly uncertain.

Traditionally, many farmers rely on advance payments from contractors by leasing their orchards for the season. However, this year, the lack of contractors has left growers financially vulnerable, as many do not have the capacity to market and sell mangoes independently.

A grower said the government should announce a support package for mango farmers, highlighting that last year's floods had already caused about 30 per cent losses to orchards.