Exclusive on Mango Mango consumption reduces the cancer risk by Dr. Noor Ahmed Memon Export of mango from Pakistan increased from Rs 1.74 billion in 2007-08 to Rs 3.27 billion in 2011-12, thus show- ing an average increase of 18% per annum. Pakistani Mango is one of the most delicious products in the world, which is being exported in large quantities from Pakistan to Europe, Middle East & America by air and to the Gulf by sea in reefers containers. A research reveals the consumption of mangoes may potentially have a positive effect on blood sugar in obese individuals and reduce cancer risk. The study, led by Oklahoma State University’s Nutritional Sciences Associate Professor Edralin Lucas, examined the effects of daily mango con- sumption on clinical parameters and body composition in obese subjects. Mango contains many nutrients and other bioac- tive compounds that can provide various These findings are the result of a single on an area of 172 thousand hectares with health benefits aside from what they study and more research is needed on the a production of 1.89 million tonnes. The investigated. He said it is high in fibre, effects of mango consumption on human area under mango crop has increased but vitamins A and C, as well as other miner- health and reduces the cancer risk. the rise in production is comparatively als. In addition to the positive effects on Another research led by Institute for slow. The main mango growing districts in body fat, blood lipids and glucose, it is not Obesity Research and Program Evaluation the Punjab province are Multan, associated with serious side-effects such of Texas University Assistant Professor Bahawalpur, Muzzaffargarh and Rahim as negative effects on bone that is linked and Research Director Susanne Mertens- yar Khan. In the province of Sindh it is with the use of rosiglitazone - a drug Talcott examined the effects of polyphe- mainly grown in Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad commonly used to lower blood sugar. nols found in fresh mangos on cancerous and Thatta. In the province of NWFP it is Blood sugar levels at the conclusion of the and non-cancerous breast cells. This study grown in D.I Khan, Peshawar and study were significantly lower than the suggested that mango polyphenols might Mardan. Mangoes have been produced in baseline in both male and female subjects. limit inflammatory Pakistan for well over two thousand years response in both Table 1: Area, production and yield per and the country is now the 6th largest pro- cancerous and non- hectare of mango ducer in the world behind India, China, cancerous breast Area Production Yield per Mexico, Indonesia and Thailand. Year cells. (000) Hectares (000 Tonnes) Hectare in Kg The climate of Sindh gets warmer 2004-05 151.5 1,674.0 11,050 Production of about one month earlier than that of 2005-06 156.6 1,753.9 11,200 Mango in Punjab, which has given the province the 2006-07 164.5 1,719.2 10,445 privilege to grow early varieties of mango. 2007-08 166.3 1,753.7 10,545 Pakistan 2008-09 170.1 1,727.9 10,158 Subsequently, a new trend of growing late 2009-10 173.7 1,845.5 10,619 Mango is the varieties in Punjab has received a wide 2010-11 171.9 1,885.9 10,971 fourth largest fruit popularity which has extended the market 2011-12 (P) 172.0 1,919.0 10,965 crop of Pakistan. At period and added to the exportable sur- Source: Ministry of Agriculture Government of Pakistan. present it is grown plus. The high prices are paid for undam- 18 Exclusive on Mango aged, good quality fruit. Due to better Exports Table 2: Province - wise production of Mango export prospects, the area under cultiva- (000 Tonnes) tion has increased over the few years from Overall export 151,500 hectares in 2005 - 06 to about of mango has wit- Year Punjab Sindh KPK Baluchistan Total 172,000 hectares in 2012-11. However, nessed a steady 2000-01 634.9 340.3 2.3 12.3 989.8 the average yield of around 10,965 kgs growth. In 2007- 2001-02 650.3 371.5 2.5 12.8 1037.1 per hectare is much lower than in coun- 08, mango exports 2002-03 684.2 335.9 3.2 11.3 1034.6 tries such as China, Mexico and India, were 68,879 2003-04 707.8 338.4 3.1 6.6 1055.9 where improved plant protection meas- tonnes valued at Rs 2004-05 1311.9 349.6 3.2 6.5 1671.2 ures are used. Figures concerning the 1.74 billion rising to area, production and yield per hectare of 89,552 tonnes 5 Year Avg: 797.8 347.1 2.9 9.9 1157.7 mango are given in Table 1. Province-wise valued at Rs2.89 2005-06 1391.8 352.4 3.2 6.5 1753.9 production of mango are given in Table 2. billion in 2010-11 and to 85,119 2006-07 1356.6 353.4 3.4 5.8 1719.2 Types of Mango tonnes valued at Rs 2007-08 1373.1 368.1 4.0 8.5 1753.7 3.27 billion in 2008-09 1324.9 390.5 4.0 8.5 1727.9 Sindhri (Mango): This fine variety is 2011-12. Export of 2009-10 1455.7 379.0 3.9 6.9 1845.5 produced in the Sindh Province. It is in mango from 5 Year Avg: 1380.4 368.7 3.7 7.2 1760.0 large size, yellow in colour, fibreless, and Pakistan is given in 2010-11 1503.2 381.3 0.3 1.1 1885.9 oval shaped stone in medium size. It is Table 3. very sweet in taste and has a pleasant fra- 2011-12 (P) 1504.0 381.2 0.3 1.1 1,886.6 Pakistan mainly grance. This variety is available from the exports mango to Source: Ministry of Agriculture Government of Pakistan Month of 20th May to 20th July. Afghanistan, The Exporters expect the total production Chaunsa (Mango): This variety is pro- Netherlands, Iran, Oman, Germany Qatar, of mango to touch 1.94 million tonnes duced in the province of Punjab. It is Saudi Arabia, UAE and UK. UAE is the this year, up from 1.89 million tonnes extremely sweet in taste and very deli- largest importer with market share of compared to the previous year. The cious. Fresh, firm and fibre less, it is avail- about 32% while UK and Saudi Arabia export target of 90,000 tonnes has been able after 15th June to the end of August. are second and third largest importers set for this year; the country may fetch Leading commercial mango varieties are with shares of 18% and 13% respectively. $37 million if it succeeds in meeting the given as under: Country-wise export of mango is given in export target. Sindh: Sindhri, Gulabkhas, Table 4. After the inclusion of Japan in Swarnarice, Baganpalli, Collector and The Ministry of Commerce has Pakistan’s mango export market, this Neelum. allowed the export of mango for the cur- season a limited quantity of mango will Punjab: Malda, Langra, Aman Duseri, rent season starting from May 25, 2013. also be exported to Japan after being Anwar Ratol, Samer Bahisht, Fajri Kalan The date has been fixed this year to avoid processed by a Vapour Heat Treatment and Sensation. losses that resulted owing to the (VHT) plant – a pilot plant donated by the unplanned and premature export of the NWFP: Lengra and Samer Bahisht. Japanese government to preserve the fruit earlier. Baluchistan: Sindhri and Banganpalli. quality of the fruit. 19 Exclusive on Mango Problems The total area of the Orchards in Table 3: Export of Mango from Pakistan Punjab is 2109 acres and in Sindh is 135 Value Mangoes are popular acres. Certification is in process for eight Quantity Year US $ around the world and farms. Despite the wide range of damage, (Tonnes) (Rs. Million) (000) demand is on the increase however, no research had been done on 2007-08 68,879 1,744 22,280 – particularly in the this group of insects in Pakistan, where 2008-09 73,437 2,307 29,491 Middle-East. With high even basic knowledge of taxonomy, biol- 2009-10 84,921 2,522 29,382 export value for good ogy and ecology was missing. It is impor- 2010-11 89,552 2,889 33,797 quality fruit, the area of tant both to evaluate their status in 2011-12 85,119 3,272 36,623 land used for mango crops Pakistan, and to acquire basic knowledge in Pakistan has increased Source: (i) Federal Bureau of Statistics, Government of Pakistan. about the insecticides which can be used (ii) Trade Development Authority of Pakistan by 172,000 hectares in to develop effective methods of control, the last decade. using integrated pest management (IPM) International trade restrictions on Iran Pakistani farmers are struggling to and biological control techniques. As have also adversely affected Pakistan’s produce enough good quality mangoes in mango is a perennial species offering con- mango exports, as many Pakistani banks order to successfully compete in the tinuity of habitat for both pests and natu- have stopped offering their services for global market. A lack of knowledge about ral enemies, there is good potential for Iran. It is important to note that Iran was how to protect their plants from pests and using biological and cultural control meth- previously importing 30,000 tonnes of diseases mean that mango yields in ods for insect pests such as mango mangoes from Pakistan – a significant Pakistan are around half of those midges.