October 13, 2024 | DAWN |
Malik Fiaz, a 70-year-old lychee farmer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Haripur district, faces declining yields due to climate change, with recent years seeing a drop in produce size and profits. Once a lucrative export, the Khanpuri lychee's market demand has diminished, forcing farmers to struggle to meet local needs. A survey indicated that around 5,000 farmers grow lychee on 1,500 hectares, yielding 15,000-20,000 metric tons valued at Rs1.5-2 billion (USD 10-15 million).
Climate change has led to irregular temperatures, decreased fruit size, and irrigation challenges, further exacerbated by pollution from nearby industries. Farmers report significant yield losses, with Fiaz noting a 60% drop due to extreme weather and irrigation shortages. The local agriculture department acknowledges a decline in cultivated land, attributing it to urbanization and unplanned growth.
Experts suggest adaptive measures, including resilient lychee varieties and improved irrigation management, to mitigate climate impacts. Initiatives funded by the World Bank aim to educate farmers on climate-resilient practices. Local development practitioners advocate for better regulation of industrial emissions to protect the ecosystem and support fruit production.
