Pest attack threatens Sindh's mango orchards

Rapid infestations, fungal diseases spark alarm among growers, prompting calls for govt intervention

HYDERABAD:

A sudden and aggressive wave of pest attacks has gripped mango orchards across Sindh, leaving growers reeling and scrambling for effective control measures.

The alarm was raised at a weekly meeting of the Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB), where farmers described the infestations as swift and overwhelming, often leaving little time for mitigation. The session was chaired by SAB President Mahmood Nawaz Shah, who highlighted the growing vulnerability of orchards under shifting environmental conditions.

Participants noted that while farmers are generally familiar with managing pests such as hoppers, thrips, and jassids, the current outbreak - coupled with fungal diseases like Anthracnose and mango malformation - has proven particularly destructive. Anthracnose, widely recognised as one of the most damaging diseases for mangoes globally, can cause severe losses both before and after harvest, especially in poorly managed orchards.

Beyond mangoes, farmers voiced concern over the broader impact of climate variability, particularly El Nino, on key crops like cotton and rice. They warned that excessively high temperatures during critical growth stages, such as grain formation, can lead to crop failure and significant yield declines.

Calling for coordinated action, the board urged the Sindh agriculture department and academic institutions to collaborate with farmers in studying climate patterns and pest behaviour. They stressed the need for data-driven solutions to determine how temperature and humidity influence outbreaks, and to develop timely preventive and curative strategies.

The meeting also underscored the urgency of developing heat-and-drought-resistant seeds, as temperatures in the region have already crossed 45°C and are expected to rise further, increasing evapotranspiration and water demand for crops

Farmers further highlighted mounting economic pressures, citing falling market prices for vegetables and fruits - including tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, and muskmelon - alongside rising production costs driven by repeated fuel price hikes. They warned that these combined challenges are inflicting heavy financial losses on growers.

To counter these trends, the board called on the government to promote value addition in horticulture, enabling surplus produce to be processed and exported. Without such measures, they cautioned, export potential will remain underutilised.

The meeting was attended by several key members, including Dr Zulfiqar Yousfani, Bashir Nizamani, Syed Nadeem Shah, Aslam Mari, and Manroor Soomro, among others.