Severe flooding across the riverine belt of South Punjab has destroyed thousands of mature mango trees, devastating orchards that took farmers years to establish. The destruction has left many growers uncertain about the future and hesitant to replant, despite the region's long-standing tradition of mango cultivation.
Farmers described the floods as among the worst in recent memory, with entire orchards along the riverbanks wiped out. For many, the loss represents both financial hardship and emotional strain after years of investment.
According to mango grower Shahid Hameed Bhutta, the damage has deeply affected small and medium-scale farmers. "Most of them are under extreme stress. Their ten years of continuous hard work has gone," he said. "They had sacrificed other crops to focus on mangoes, but now their orchards are finished. They simply don't have the heart or the money to start again."
Bhutta, who operates a mango nursery, said that demand for saplings from farmers in the flood-affected areas has dropped sharply this season. "Farmers whose orchards were washed away are hesitant to buy new plants. Only progressive farmers with sufficient financial resources are replanting," he explained.
The average cost of a quality mango sapling is around Rs500 (US$1.80), making the re-establishment of entire orchards financially challenging. For smaller growers already burdened by loans and rising input costs, replanting after such losses is often unfeasible.
Another farmer, Nasir Abbas, described the impact on his livelihood. "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.
Growers are calling for government intervention to help restore production in the region through subsidies, soft loans, and technical support. Without such measures, they fear that South Punjab's once-flourishing mango orchards could gradually disappear from the riverine areas.
Source 1: The Express Tribune
Source 2: The Nation
