Pakistan's mangoes are normally a source of national pride and much-needed income, but farmers are blaming climate change for the parasites and extreme weather ruining much of this season's crop.
"Buds didn't flower on time, many buds just died. Those that started growing were infected with black hopper," said Yusuf, who has worked half his life growing mangoes. "We have production losses of 15 to 20 percent, and the picking has only just started so this figure will surely increase," said the 32-year-old.
They told AFP that chemicals are now used six to seven times per year, compared to just twice three years ago. Speaking to local media, he said that last year Pakistan had only managed to export 100,000 of the 125,000 tonnes of mangoes it planned to sell abroad.The income loss from a poor mango harvest could have a significant impact on Pakistan, where agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of the GDP. Photo: Asif HASSAN / AFPPakistan's 20 varieties of mangoes come second only to oranges as the most-produced fruit in the country.