Search
2024-11-04
Agriculture: Losing the luscious lychee

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.

Read more

Viewed Articles
Agriculture: Losing the luscious lychee
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
Nov 04, 2024
Read More
Supply crunch: Coconut rates double, hit Rs 45-50 per piece
May 04, 2025 | Times of India | Coconut prices in Goa have surged sharply this summer, with mature coconuts selling at Rs 45–50 each in retail markets—nearly double the usual price. Wholesale rates ha
Despite Water Scarcity, Morocco Exports 100,000 Tons of Avocados
June 06, 2025 | Morocco World News | Morocco has emerged as a major global avocado exporter, surpassing the 100,000-ton export mark for the first time. This milestone signals the country’s growing inf
Indonesia farmers count the costs as rains wash out Java durian harvest
March 04, 2026 | Mongabay | Durian farmers in Banyumas, Indonesia, are facing severe harvest losses due to extreme and unpredictable weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds. One farmer repo
Beltangady: Coconut crunch in despite soaring market rates
April 14, 2025 | Daijiworld | Coconuts and tender coconuts have become scarce in coastal Karnataka, despite strong market demand and rising prices. Daily essentials for rituals and summer hydration, c
Mango farms where? Climate change is scrambling where the world's food is grown
March 14, 2025 | 69 News | Climate change is reshaping global mango production, moving cultivation into new regions as traditional growing areas face increased challenges. In Sicily, Italy, farmers li
TOP