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By M Atif Ismail
MULTAN, Oct 26 (APP): The recent floods have left a trail of destruction across the riverine belt of South Punjab, wiping out thousands of mature mango trees that took farmers years of hard work to cultivate.
The damage has pushed many growers into deep stress and uncertainty, making them reluctant to replant new orchards despite the region’s rich tradition of mango farming.
The floods, described by local farmers as among the worst in recent memory, completely destroyed several mango orchards along the riverbanks. For many, the loss represents not just financial ruin but an emotional setback, as their decade-long efforts were washed away in a matter of days.
According to progressive mango grower Shahid Hameed Bhutta, the destruction had shaken the confidence of small and medium-scale farmers. “Most of them are under extreme stress.
Their ten years of continuous hard work has gone,” he told APP. “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 owns a large nursery of mango saplings, said that demand from farmers in the riverine areas has sharply declined this season. “Farmers whose orchards were washed
away are hesitant to buy new plants. Only progressive farmers with sufficient financial resources are replanting,” he added.
The average cost of a quality mango sapling is around Rs 500, which makes replanting an entire orchard a costly undertaking. For small farmers already burdened by loans and input costs, the idea of re-investing after such massive losses seems nearly impossible.
Another affected farmer, Nasir Abbas, shared his frustration, saying that his years of effort had gone to waste. “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.
Similar concerns were expressed by Mudassar Bhutta, a grower who lost nearly dozens acres of mango trees during the recent floods. He too has chosen not to replant this year.
“We are afraid that the next flood might come even stronger. Climate change has made weather patterns unpredictable,” he explained.
Psychological and financial toll on mango farmers is severe, said Malik Arif Kalrou. Many of them say that even in the past, floods would hit the region, but trees rarely suffered such widespread damage.
“This flood was different,” said Shahid Hameed Bhutta. “The water seemed to carry something harmful. It affected the roots so badly that even mature trees died. We are still unsure what exactly caused it, perhaps chemical contamination or changes in soil composition due to the river water.”
The situation underscores how climate change is reshaping Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, particularly in sensitive riverine zones. Increased flood frequency, erratic rainfall, and temperature fluctuations have created a sense of fear and hesitation among traditional farmers who once depended heavily on stable seasons.
Mango cultivation, often called the “golden fruit industry” of South Punjab, supports thousands of families and contributes significantly to the region’s economy. If this hesitation continues, the experts warn, the long-term impact could be alarming, leading to a reduction in mango production and loss of livelihood for countless workers involved in the mango value chain, from nurseries to exporters.
Farmers are now calling for government support in the form of subsidies, soft loans, and technical assistance to restore confidence in replanting. Without such interventions, they fear that the once-thriving mango orchards of South Punjab may gradually disappear from the riverine belt.
As the floodwater recede, what remains is not just barren land but the fading hope of farmers whose years of labor have been lost.