South Punjab, known for its mango production, has suffered extensive damage to its Chaunsa, Sindhri, and Anwar Ratol orchards following recent floods. Thousands of hectares of trees, many between 10 and 15 years old, have been destroyed, raising concern among farmers and agricultural experts.
Government surveys are underway to assess agricultural losses, but growers state that mango orchards are being overlooked. Several orchard owners claim the damage is not being properly documented, which could delay compensation and recovery.
Local farmer Muhammad Ajmal from Multan reported losing his 8.9-hectare orchard. "The flood has wreaked havoc on my orchard. We've lost 15 years of effort in one season," he said. "We are worried that the government teams are not including mango orchards in the survey."
Another grower said that 90% of his mango trees had been destroyed, while the remaining 10% were in poor condition. "Government teams are coming, but they are recording only crops, not mango plants," he added.
Chaudhry Haseeb Anwar, chairman of the Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, criticised the neglect. "It is the worst injustice to mango farmers that their losses are not being recorded. Instead of repairing their damage, the government is ignoring them, creating a situation of extreme uncertainty," he said.
Experts warn that the damage will be long-lasting, as mango trees require six to seven years to reach bearing age. The loss of mature orchards is expected to impact both domestic supply and exports. Pakistan is one of the world's leading mango exporters, and Chaunsa and Sindhri are key varieties in international markets.
City Assistant Commissioner Abdul Sami Sheikh responded that a dedicated orchard survey is in progress. "We are examining how many mango plants have been damaged, including small and large trees, and collecting all data simultaneously," he said. Sheikh acknowledged that the loss is irreparable and added that it will take 10 to 15 years to restore orchard productivity.
Source: SAMAA
