Impact of Climate Change on Kinnow Fruit Industry of Pakistan

Abstract

Citrus fruits are prominent crop of tropical and sub-tropical region which require suitable climate for quality production. Kinnow mandarin is dominant cultivated in the plain of the Punjab, Pakistan. Being a perennial crop, citrus is more vulnerable to changing environmental conditions and both physical and biochemical quality parameters are deteriorated by erratic behavior of weather around the year. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of climate change on citrus industry of Pakistan and selected three main citrus groves of the Punjab province. The selected orchards were uniform in age, vigor and planting geometry by using factorial (RCBD) while survey design was performed to assess impact of climate change on Kinnow fruit industry. Climate change has triggered pest’s infestation, disease incidence and water use and ultimately increased inputs cost. Heat and drought stress and fog was more observed in Vehari and Toba Tek Singh (TTS) and more yield reduction and low quality was recorded in these districts than Sargodha. Processing cost increased and more export risk was seen with market fluctuation in climate change scenario. Increased in input cost, water requirement of plant, reduction in net return and uncertain market were observed. Climate change has directly affected citrus industry and scientific approach requires addressing these challenges.