1 week Ago By PR
KARACHI - The Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) conducted a pivotal webinar, engaging mango growers, processors, researchers, and industry stakeholders from Sindh and Punjab to tackle the escalating challenges of mango malformation and hopper infestations exacerbated by climate change. The virtual event addressed the prolonged winter season, delayed ripening, and emerging pest and disease issues impacting Pakistan’s mango sector, which contributes approximately 1.8 million metric tons annually across 421,000 acres, primarily in Sindh and Punjab.
The webinar aimed to equip growers with practical strategies for managing mango orchards under shifting climatic conditions, fostering resilience in Pakistan’s horticulture industry. Targeted at progressive growers, processors, R&D professionals, entrepreneurs, and academia, the event underscored the urgent need to adapt to environmental changes to sustain Pakistan’s position as the world’s fifth-largest mango producer. Lemon Kumar, a renowned horticulture expert, delivered an insightful session on the causes and spread of mango malformation and hopper infestations.
He identified key symptoms, emphasizing that dense, unpruned orchards exacerbate these issues. Kumar advocated for timely pruning to transform overgrown orchards into well-managed systems, enhancing air circulation and reducing pest habitats. He detailed two forms of mango malformation—vegetative and reproductive—recommending early detection, removal, and proper disposal of affected plant parts through burning or deep burial to prevent further spread.
His session provided actionable guidance on integrated pest management (IPM) tailored to climate-induced challenges. Strike by goods transporters in Karachi leads to significant delays in shipments Dr Noor-un-Nisa, an expert in orchard establishment, presented a comprehensive overview of developing certified mango nurseries, which she described as the cornerstone of healthy, high-yielding orchards. She shared advanced techniques for budding, grafting, and transplanting, emphasizing the role of certified nurseries in producing disease-resistant, quality saplings to bolster orchard productivity and longevity.
Pakistan’s mango industry, concentrated in Punjab and Sindh, faces increasing pressure from climate variability, which has disrupted traditional growing cycles and intensified pest and disease pressures. With global demand for fresh and processed mango products rising, the webinar highlighted the potential for expanding cultivation through sustainable practices. PHDEC reiterated its commitment to supporting growers by disseminating cutting-edge research, promoting certified nursery systems, and fostering climate-resilient orchard management.
The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to adopt proactive measures, including regular orchard maintenance, IPM, and collaboration with research institutions to ensure the mango industry’s profitability and global competitiveness. PHDEC announced plans for additional webinars and on-ground training to further empower growers and strengthen Pakistan’s horticulture sector. 41st Int’l Exhibition of Handmade Carpets on Oct 7 Tags: phdec hosts webinar address climate.
