Plum Growers in Peshawar Face Catastrophic Losses Due to Unseasonal Heatwave

Strategic Insights -

Extreme temperatures, erratic rains, and hailstorms have ravaged plum orchards in Peshawar, with farmers reporting losses of nearly 90% of the fruit crop. Growers, who have traditionally relied on their family businesses, are facing exceptional financial losses, with some estimating their earnings to be reduced by as much as 97%. The impact of climate change on the region's agriculture and horticulture is becoming increasingly clear, with experts attributing the damage to the unusual rise in temperature in April. Plum growers are now urging the government to provide subsidies, climate-resilient crop varieties, and disaster relief to mitigate the effects of climate change on their livelihoods.

Key Takeaways:

  • Plum growers in Peshawar have reported losses of nearly 90% of their fruit crop due to an unseasonal April heatwave.
  • Traditional plum growers are facing exceptional financial losses, with some estimating their earnings to be reduced by as much as 97%.
  • The main reason behind the damage is attributed to the unusual rise in temperature in April, which disrupted the blossoming of plum flowers.
  • Plum farmers in Peshawar rely on their family businesses, which are now being threatened by climate change.
  • Experts confirm that April was the hottest month in the country's history, with temperatures affecting not only plum crops but also other fruits like peaches.
  • Global warming is reducing the cooling hours required for plum growth, affecting the quality and quantity of the fruit.
  • Erratic rains and hailstorms are also badly affecting agriculture and horticulture produce in the country.
  • Plum produced in Peshawar is of high quality and fetches suitable earnings for growers, but climate change is forcing the farming community to face significant financial losses.
  • Plum growers are urging the government to provide subsidies, climate-resilient crop varieties, and disaster relief to mitigate the effects of climate change.
  • Zakaria, a plum grower, estimates that his orchard's yield has shrunk from 5000 cartons to less than 100 in the current year.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 90% of the plum fruit crop was damaged due to the unseasonal April heatwave.
  • Plum growers estimate their earnings to be reduced by as much as 97% due to climate change.
  • The average earnings of a plum farmer in Peshawar were approximately Rs. 2.8 million (pre-heating) and Rs. 76,000 (post-heating).
  • The value of a carton of plums decreased from Rs. 800 to around Rs. 800 due to reduced production.
  • The area under plum cultivation in Peshawar is approximately 2754 hectares.
  • The cooling hours required for plum growth are being reduced due to global warming, affecting the quality and quantity of the fruit.

Sources:

  • Muhammad Haroon, a plum grower in Urmar area
  • Zakaria, an owner of a plum fruit orchard in Urmar area
  • Nisar Ahmad, an official at Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab (Peshawar)