VHT plants installation can boost Pak mango export

By Technology Times at July 10, 2012 | 1:01 am

STAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistan is missing Japan’s huge market for mangoes in the absence of Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) facilities to meet the sanitary and phyto-sanitary conditions which are a pre-requisite for mango exports to that country. Pakistan could easily export mangoes worth $4-5 million annually if VHT plants are installed to meet the laid down requirements, experts said.

The Japanese government has already approved the quality of Pakistani mangoes which are superior in taste and have the potential of giving a tough competition to Indian mangoes which are already there in that market.

According to horticulture exporters, Pakistan immediately needs at least two huge VHT plants of a minimum capacity of 50 tons each – one at Karachi and the other at Lahore. Although it is the responsibility of the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) to provide these facilities to enhance exports, but instead, Pakistan Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is taking more interest in having VHT plants installed as soon as possible.

“This year, the government may import VHT plants from Japan to start commercial shipments of mango from 2013,” said Director Business Development, Harvest Trading, Ali Akhlaq Mughal.

He said that Japan has remained one of the major bilateral development partners of Pakistan since 1954, extending assistance in multifaceted sectors of development.

Pakistan to import VHT plant from Japan shortly

Aiming to tap the very lucrative international markets for fruits, Pakistan, for the first time, is going to import Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) plant from Japan. With the investment of at least Rs 236 million, the country has almost finalised the procurement process of the plant, which was needed to process fruit especially mango for entering Japanese and other international markets, Business Recorder learnt.

According to sources, all parts and other allied machines for the establishment of VHT facility was expected to reach the country within next 120 days will be installed at proposed Agri Processing Zone land, situated near Karachi city along Super High Way. The new plant will process at least 15,000 kilogram or 15 tones mango daily. Vapour Heat Treatment System uses hot saturated water vapour to heat the fruit slowly, treating possible fruit flies.

The plant, according to sources, was being procured through Trade Development Authority (TDAP) of Pakistan and a representative of the private firm, which has won the bid issued by TDAP was currently in Japan. The same VHT plant, with latest technology, was being used in other countries like Thailand, Philippine and others to process fresh fruits. Though the plant can be used for multipurpose, but it was presently being imported for processing the highly valued mango. The plant, which will facilitate export of fruits and vegetables, especially Mangoes, to Japan and other foreign markets was intended to meet the phyto-sanitary requirements of the importing countries.

According to TDAP’s issued bid in February 2012, the successful bidder would be responsible for commissioning of complete plant; responsible for operation and maintenance for six months; training of local staff; supply of spare parts and ensure the warranty/guarantee for the plant.

The bidders were asked to provide lowest quote for operation and maintenance using the period of 15 years, as the running cost for daily processing of 15 tones of mangoes for a period of 4 months season (120 days), having the net present value using discount rate of 12 percent. The total estimated cost of the plant was Rs 236,170,230.46. It is worth mentioning here that in the absence of required VHT plant, Pakistani mango was not being exported to Japan despite lifting a 16-year-old ban on the import of fruit from Pakistan.

Last year, the government had introduced Mango in Japanese market on experimental basis and limited quantity of mangoes had sent to Japan for promotional purposes as test shipment soon after the foreign government allowed it after processing through a smaller VHT plant provided by Tokyo in 1999.

Japanese ministry of Food and Agriculture had given the permission of mango imports from Pakistan with an attached condition -Vapour Heat Treatment of mangoes. Islamabad had made the older plant operational last year in order to introduce the fruit in foreign markets. However, the bigger and latest one was needed to start the trade on commercial basis. Though the exports of mango, which is called here the king of fruit was expected to be started during ongoing season but the delayed procurement process of the plant kept the foreign market away for another one year/season. However, after the fresh development, the country is expected to be able to export mango to Tokyo a lucrative and potential market.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012

Mango: US, Japanese markets to remain out of reach

Production is likely to stand around 1.2 million tons of mangoes against the production of 1.7 million tons recorded during the previous season.

Pakistan, which is going to start exporting mangoes by May 25, is likely to remain shut out of the lucrative US and Japanese markets.

Despite initiatives taken by the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to introduce Pakistani mangoes in US and Japanese markets, export of the fruit to these countries remain unlikely this year because of the lack of a well-equipped fruit treatment facility in the country.

The country is also estimated to be facing a 30% loss in production due to climatic changes in the country. Production is likely to stand around 1.2 million tons of mangoes against the production of 1.7 million tons recorded during the previous season.

Last year, 0.134 million tons of mango were exported, generating revenues of at least $38 million, according to PFVA co-Chairman Waheed Ahmed. This year, the target was fixed at 0.15 million tons, with estimated revenues of $50 million.

The reduction in production, he said, was mainly because of climatic changes which affected mango trees in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas and Mityari in Sindh; and Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Shuja Abad, Muzaffar Garh and Khanewal in Punjab.

Japan last year approved the mangoes tested through a small VHT facility in the country; but it is not viable to use the same facility for commercial purposes because of its limited functionality and capacity. Thus, exports to Tokyo remain a distant dream, Ahmed said.

The absence of a quarantine facility in the country is also not favourable to exporters; as no exporter wishes to risk sending an entire consignment to the US before quality approval, while also bearing the huge freight cost, he said.

A proposal for the setting up of a commercial processing plant and a common facility centre has already been sent to the Ministry of Commerce, but the ministry has yet to take a step in this regard.

Beside the two important foreign markets, the country is also losing the market in Iran because of sanctions imposed by the US, as commercial banks are reluctant to be involved in financial transactions in this regard. Iran is regarded as a valuable market in terms of prompt payment for imported fruits; existing exports or smuggling will not benefit the country in terms of revenue, Waheed said.

He also revealed that a delegation from Australia was due to visit Pakistan this month to inspect mango farms and processing units in the country. The opening of Australian markets for the Pakistani mango – expected during this year – will be an important development for the country’s fruit exporters.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.

AAB monitoring device, cultural practices and chemicals for management of mango tree mortality

By Dr. R. D. Khuhro, Dr. S. M. Nizamani, M. M. Jiskani and M. A. Talpur
Faculty of Crop Protection, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam
Mango, Mangifera indica is one of the important fruits of Pakistan which is exported to many countries such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Singapore and Malaysia. It is known as “King of Fruits” and is consumed both by poor and rich people in various forms. Mango is grown is tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. In Pakistan, it is grown on large acreages of Sindh and Punjab provinces. There are numerous varieties of mango, each differing in fruit characters such as taste, flavour, colour, tinge, shape and size which determine the quality of the fruits and market value at home and abroad (Jiskani, 2002).

Mango tree plant suffers from various insect pests and diseases. Among insects, mango hoppers, fruit flies, thrips, scales, stem borers, shoot borers and mites are reported (Talpur and Khuhro, 2003; Soomro, 1988). Similarly, various diseases caused by fungi such as Fusarium, Aspergillus, Botryodiplodia, Penicillium and Colletotrichum are also reported on mango (Hafiz, 1986; Ramos et al., 1991 and 1997; Wagan et al., 200; Al-Adawi, 2005). During 2002-3 in Pakistan and Sindh, the mango was grown over an area of 102.8 and 46.5 thousand hectares and the production was 1034.6 and 335.9 thousand tones per hectare, respectively (Agha, 2004). Currently, mango trees are dying suddenly at the rate of 2-20%, depending upon severity of disease and management by the owners of mango orchards.

Causes

Asian ambrosia beetle (ABB) is considered as the primary cause of the mango mortality followed by different species of fungi. Basically, this is a management problem. The owners of mango gardens give their gardens on contract and forget about care of the garden whereas, contractors don’t apply proper fertilizer, cultural and plant protection practices as per requirement of the gardens. In this way, the problem of mortality in mango is multiplying. If this, scenario remain constant, we shall end up with mango cultivation and loose export exchange in next few years. The mango growers are warned to expend at least 10% of their income on management operations for the sustainability of mango fruit in their own interest and country at large; therefore, garden owners must not depend on contractors.

Characteristics of AAB

The Asian ambrosia beetle (ABB) has stout dark reddish-brown body and is reported as pest on broad host range including woody ornamentals, fruit and nut trees (Atkinson et al., 1988; Kovach, 1986). Schedl (1962) reported 124 hosts of ABB. The beetle has been collected and identified from various samples taken from dead or partially dead mango trees, Shisham, Gold Mohar, Gular, Neem, Eucalyptus, Siris Albizzia lebbek, rubber plant and Casia fistula from various ecological zones of Sindh. Only females have wings and disperse with small movement from infested and dead mango trees, wood logs/pieces and by its own short movements. These beetles are so tiny that initially attacked trees, don’t show symptoms. In case of severe infestation, the small pin head sized holes appear with the inside and outside movement of beetle on bark. The beetles excavate galleries in the branches, trunks, roots and twigs. The beetles introduce fungi complex in the mango tree and lay their eggs in clusters. In some mango trees no holes in bark appear but black spots on the basal parts of trunks are present. After cutting those barks, the light yellow paste with bad odour watery secretion flows. The beetles are also present in infested black basal part of the trunk. The gum like secretion/drops commonly known as gummosis oozes out from holes of trunks/branches of mango trees infested with beetle. The “C” shaped, legless, white grubs of beetle are found feeding on inner darkened portion of barks. From the infested trunk of the mango tree, the frass of the beetle is pushed out of galleries, in a typical tooth-pick fashion.

Management:

A. Asian ambrosia beetle monitoring device

· Various research experiments have been conducted and are in progress at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam under Mango Research Project sponsored by Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. On the basis of these preliminary experimental results, it is suggested that apply sticky traps of 1sq.ft. size by pasting grease on plastic sheets (coated over cloth) at the rate of 10-15 traps per acre at the height of 1-3 ft from ground level for catching the winged female beetles. It was also observed that green colour sticky trap attracted more female beetles followed by black and other colours.

B. Cultural

· Regular monitoring of mango gardens for bark beetle and development of decline symptoms is compulsory.

· Prune diseased branches along with 4-5 inches of healthy portion with saw and apply bordeaux paste at the rate of 1:1:10 (1kg CuSO₄+1kg lime+10 liters of water)on the cut points in July-August.

· Removal and burning of diseased/dead mango trees including roots.

· Avoid wounding the trunks and roots during pruning, inter-culturing and fruit picking. In case of wounds, Bordeaux paste may be applied.

· Plowing/inter-culturing and other sanitation practices followed by pruning of gardens in July-August.

· Soil testing is compulsory for application of proper chemical fertilizers. Zinc sulphate and other macro and micro nutrients may be incorporated on the basis of soil testing.

· Proper irrigation application as and when required but not on the basis of availability of water.

C. Chemical

· Apply Lorsban 40 EC or any other systemic insecticide in combination with Alliete fungicide just after fruit setting.

· The same spray may be repeated at the interval of 15-21 days.

· Apply 3^rd spray in September/October.

Method of application

· Generally foliar pesticide is carried out but in this case washing of trunks and branches through spraying or similar to white wash is suggested.

The same pesticides can also be applied by drilling followed by injecting in main trunk and its primary branches deep up to 6".

Sorce: http://www.pakissan.com/english/advisory/aab.monitoringm.device.shtml

Mango Varieties

Chaunsa Mango:

Flesh firm, fibreless with pleasant flavour and sweet taste. Juice moderately adundant. Fruit quality good, keeping good quality. Ripening season in August.

Season: July - September Origin: Rahim Yar Khan & Multan Color: Gold Flavor: Slight perfume Fiber: 17.2 - 27.3% Sugar Content: 18 - 22% Pulp Gravity: Heavy Moisture Content: 78% after ripening; 81% before ripening Weight: 1-2.3 Pounds Relative Humidity: 85%

Sindhri Mango:

Leading variety of Sind. Fruit shape ovalish long, size large, skin colour lemon yellow when ripe, pulp colour yellowish cadium, texture fine and firm fibreless, stone medium sized, flavour pleasantly aromatic and taste sweet.

Season: Mid-May to mid-July Origin: Mir Pur Khas Color: Gold Flavor: Slight Perfume Pulp Gravity: Medium Fiber: 3 - 5% Moisture Content (average): 79% after ripening; 18% before ripening Weight: Average 1 - 3.5 pounds Relative Humidity: 85%

Other Varieties of Mango

Langra:
It has originated as a superior chance seedling near Benares. Size medium to large, ovate, base round to slightly flatten, shoulders equal. Beak minute but distinct, sinus slight to absence, skin green and thin, flesh fibreless, yellowish brown in color, scented, highly melting, very sweet. Stone very small, flattened, oval. Weight of an average fruit is about ¼ kg. Fruit quality very good, bearing heavy. Season (Early to mid Season). 1st to 3rd week of July. Heavy yielder.

Amman Dusehri:
It derives its name form village between Lucknow and Malihabad where it was originated as a superior chance seedling. Size small to medium, oblong, ventral, shoulder higher than dorsal, beak and sinus absent, color yellow when ripe, skin thin, pulp fibreless, flesh firm, very sweet, flavor nice. Stone very small, oblong, variety good to very best, bearing heavy, mid season (July), keeping and peeling quality good.

Alphanso, Bombay:
This is a leading commercial variety of Bombay State and is one of the best in India. Because of its better adaptability to humid climate it has not been able to maintain its esteemed position in the dry districts of Pakistan. The Alphanso is successful in some districts of Sindh. Size medium, ovate, oblique, base obliquely flattened, Ventral structure boarder and much higher than dorsal, beak just a point, sinus not prominent, color of the ripe fruit yellow or brownish yellow, skin thin, pulp yellowish brown, flesh firm, taste very sweet, flavor excellent, almost fibreless. Fruit quality is good. Mid season variety harvested in July.

Sammar Bahisht:
It has originated as a superior chance seedling in Muzaffernager U.P. It got its name because of its pleasant flavor. Fruit medium, base slightly flattened, shoulders equal, sinus very light, beak point prominent, skin greenish yellow, thin, pulp yellow, very sweet, sparsely fibrous, flavor pleasant to delicious. Stone medium and oblong, oval. Quality of the fruit is very good, keeping and peeling qualities well. Ripening season July-August.

Fajrikalan:
It has originated as superior chance seedling in Bihar and gor its name after the name of lady Fajri who selected and brought up its trees. Size big, oblong, obliquely oval, base rounded, shoulder unequal, with ventral higher than the dorsal, beak distinct, sinus very shallow with rounded apex. Skin thin, pulp color pale, fibreless, taste sweet with pleasant flavor. Juice moderate to abundant. Stone large, oblong. Fruit quality good to very good bearing late season August, Keeping quality good.

Muhammadwala:
Size small to medium, skin thick, yellow brown, pulp sweet, juicy, stone medium sized, fiber very little. Very hard variety. Season early August.

Sammar Bahisht Chausa:
It is originated as choicest seedling in a village Chausa in Malihabad, Tehsil of Lucknow. It is also known as "Kajri" or "Khajri". There is resemblance between the foliage of Fajri and this variety but there are marked difference in fruit shape and quality. Fruit medium to large ovate to oval, base obliquely flattened, ventral shoulder raised than the dorsal, beak distinct, sinus shallow, apex round, skin medium in thickness, smooth, flesh firm, fibreless with pleasant flavor and sweet taste. Juice moderately abundant. Stone somewhat large oblong. Fruit quality good, bearing heavy, keeping quality medium to good. Ripening season in August (late).

Rataul (Anwar):
It has originated as a chance seedling in "Shohra-e-Afaq" Garden in Rataul. Now is has become popular in mango growing areas of Punjab because of its high flavor. Fruit medium, ovate, base flattened with equal shoulders, which are rounded, beak not prominent, absent in some cases, sinus absent, and apex round. Skin medium thick. Flesh firm, fibreless, flavor very pleasant, with very sweet taste. Juice moderately abundant. Some medium oval. Fruit quality very good. Ripening season in July (Mid-Season). Keeps well in storage.

Bangapali:
Another variety of Sindh. Fruit shape is obliquely oval, Size is big, length about 14 cm. Breadth 9.1 cm Thickness 8.2 cm. Weight 22.0 oz. Base obliquely flattened. Cavity not prominent. Stalk inserted obliquely. Shoulders ventral typically razed, broader and much more higher than dorsal. Back almost rounded. Skin color dark green and glazy when unripe. Yellowish light green with very light crimson patches when ripe. Surface smooth, shining. Dots small distinct. Glands small, crowded.

Neelam:
Quality variety of Sindh. Fruit shape ovate, size small, length 7.7cm breath 5.9cm thickness 5.6cm weight 5.0oz. The base is rounded. Stalk inserted squarely. Cavity slight to absent, Shoulders unequal. Ventral is higher than dorsal, back rounded. Sinus slight to shallow, Beak acute to obtuse. Apex rounded, Skin color sea green when unripe & yellow with reddish tinge when ripe. Surface smooth. Small dots with numerous small glands.

Mango Export 2000-2001

Th etotal production (estimated) is 988 thousand tonns. The total export during this is 183 thousand tonns with value of 3,453 million ruppees.
Source: Source: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Federal Bureau of Federal Bureau of Statistics