- 5,000 acres affected; annual 20,000-ton output devastated, causing farmers losses running into millions of rupees
- Experts warn climate shifts and insect attacks threaten future harvests,
- Research Institute Mingora begins scientific trials, urges timely sprays
SWAT: Once celebrated as one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s most fertile fruit belts, Swat is facing one of its harshest agricultural blows in years, as erratic weather patterns and aggressive insect attacks have devastated its prized persimmon (Japani fruit) orchards. The crisis comes atop damage already sustained by peaches, plums and apricots, plunging fruit growers into deep economic distress.
Nearly 5,000 acres of persimmon orchards—which normally produce around 20,000 metric tons annually—have suffered up to 90 percent crop destruction, leaving farmers with losses running into millions of rupees.
Ijaz Khan, a trader and orchard owner, voiced his alarm: “This year, the crop looked very promising, but insects and diseases have completely destroyed it. We invested nearly 9 million rupees in our orchards, but now the total value of what remains barely reaches 90,000 rupees. Our year-long efforts have gone to waste.”
Experts from the Agricultural Research Institute Mingora have begun scientific trials to protect persimmon trees and are guiding farmers on preventive measures.
Dr Fazal Mola, Principal Research Officer (Entomology), cautioned that timely interventions could still save the crop: “If farmers apply timely sprays and adopt protective practices, they can save 70 to 80 percent of their crop from pests without using harmful chemicals.”
Although Swat’s orchards typically produce reliably according to seasonal patterns, this year’s irregular rainfall, high humidity, and targeted insect infestations have dealt severe damage. Despite harvesting underway and fruit reaching markets, traders say prices remain far below expectations, threatening both income and financial security.
Farmers noted that persimmon cultivation demands significant upfront investment, and repeated losses in the range of hundreds of thousands of rupees push them toward economic hardship. One trader said that while a kilogram of persimmon costs about 350 rupees to cultivate, six- to seven-kilogram boxes are selling for only 250–300 rupees this season—compounding the financial shock.
Despite consistently high demand locally, provincially, and nationally, this year’s massive crop failure has disrupted growers’ livelihoods and the broader fruit supply chain.
Experts warn that the combined impact of climate change, pest proliferation, and delayed protection measures poses an ongoing threat to future harvests. They stress that modern cultivation techniques, timely interventions, and greater institutional support are essential to shielding crops and ensuring farmers’ investment and labour are protected.
