MULTAN (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 29 Mar, 2026) The world-famous mango industry in southern Punjab is facing a serious setback this season, as climate change has affected the production of Samar Bahisht Chunsa, one of the most valuable mango varieties in the country. Pakistan. Farmers across major mango growing regions including Rahim Yar Khan, MultanMuzaffargarh and Khanewal are witnessing unusual crop damage, threatening livelihoods and quality of exports.
According to local farmers, the first week of March witnessed an unexpected rise in temperatures, disrupting the normal flowering and fruit production process. While mango trees produced a large amount of flowers (locally called “pur”), the critical stage of fruit formation did not occur properly. Experts attribute this to weak cross-pollination, as volatile weather conditions hindered the natural pollination cycle.
“With the temperature suddenly rising, the flowering looked healthy, but the transformation to fruit was severely affected,” said progressive farmer Shahid Hameed Bhuta. “Instead of developing into a mango, a large portion of the flower has turned into a ‘bator’, a harmful formation that does not produce fruit and continues to damage the plant.”
Farmers describe the “bat” as a serious disease that weakens mango trees over time. They form dense clusters that not only inhibit fruit growth but also serve as a breeding ground for pests. These clusters can grow significantly in size, sometimes weighing almost one kilogram, and continue to affect future yields.
Another worrying factor is the erratic weather pattern, with sudden shifts between hot and cold. This discrepancy has led to a severe attack by pests, especially ’tila’ (mango hoppers), which thrive under these unstable climatic conditions.
Botha warned that the pest attack could intensify in the coming days if weather patterns remain unpredictable.
“The impact of climate change is now clear,” he added. “Even with the spraying of expensive pesticides, it becomes difficult to control these pests once they establish themselves within the affected clusters. This not only reduces production but also harms the quality of mangoes destined for export.”
South Punjab is the backbone of the country’s mango industry. Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal districts together produce a major share of the country’s mango production. This sector supports millions of people directly and indirectly, including farmers, workers, transporters and exporters.
In addition to its economic importance, mango cultivation is deeply rooted in the local culture and identity of the region. The Chunsa variety, in particular, is known worldwide for its taste, aroma and quality, contributing valuable foreign exchange to the national economy.
Shahid stressed the urgent need for adaptation strategies to confront the effects of climate change. This includes improving pest management systems, climate-resilient farming techniques, and providing timely advisory services to farmers.
If immediate steps are not taken, he fears that the continuing impact of changing weather patterns will not only reduce production, but also weaken the country’s position in the global mango market.
The current situation is a wake-up call, highlighting the vulnerability of one of Pakistan’s most popular crops to the growing threat of climate change.