The Scenario of Date Palm Cultivation in Makran,Balochistan

¹Department of Horticulture, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan 60000, Pakistan

^*Corresponding author.  Email: shafa.nayab@mnsuam.edu.pk 

Adnan Ali¹, Sami Ullah¹, ShafaNayab*¹,Zain-ul-abbideen¹

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)is a fruit that has long been prized in Islam. Remains of date trees have been discovered at Neolithic sites dating back 7,000–8,000 years in Syria and Egypt. When Arabs came to Makran, Balochistan they carried dates fruit with them. They used dates for consumption and the seeds of these consumed dates naturally initiated the date fruits in the Makran region. Nowadays, date palms may be found in a number of hot, dry locations around the globe, including deserts in subtropical zones. Because they are consumed in large quantities all around the world, they have significant economic worth.

                         

Nutritional Importance 

Dates are a very nutrient-dense fruit that have a high percentage of carbohydrates (70%) and are a significant source of sugars, vitamins, minerals, and trace amounts of fats and proteins. Additionally, it has K and very little Na levels, making it suitable for those with hypertension. They are a significant source of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, sterols, anthocyanins, procyanidins, tannins, and flavonoids, among other phytochemicals.

Dates Production in Pakistan

Pakistan is the sixth-largest producer of dates, with 0.05 million tonnes produced annually on 0.09 million hectares of land. The province that produces the most dates, Balochistan, accounts for 77% of the total fruit output; Sindh, Punjab, and KPK follow. The majority of the date palms in Balochistan are found in districtTurbat, Panjgoor, Khuzdar, Bolan, Gwadar, and many other districts. Makran division, which produced the majority of the date palm fruit. As a result, the Makran region's economy depends heavily on date palm.

Best Varities of Date Palm in Makran

Most common varieties of date palm in Makran are Begum Jangi,Sabzo,Halini, Konzenabad, Abdandan, Muzwati,Goknah, Rogini, Hussaini, Dishtari,Pashpag, Dandari, Shakri, Aseel, Kungo ,Jaan, Sware, Karaba , Rabbi,Shakarok, Dakki, peshnah, hussani, etc.

Common Insects and Diseases

Common diseases and insects of date palm in Makran include Diplodia and Bayoud disease, Fusarium wilt, Dubas bug, and root knot nematodes. Diplodia disease is caused by Diplodiaphoenicum and has been recorded on 20 date varieties worldwide. Bayoud disease is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis and is a deformed growth of date palm vegetative buds. Fusarium wilt is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. canariensis and is a lethal vascular disease of Canary Island date palm. Dubas bug (Ommatissuslybicus) is an economically significant pest of date palms, and root knot nematodes (Meloidogynearenaria and Meloidogynehapla) cause root knot disease.

Major Problems of Date Palm in Makran

The first major problem for the farmers of this region is that the monsoon rain coincidence with ripening of dates. The farmers who try to get date early in order to destruction due to rain or infestation, have to sell them to agent, middle man and business entities in low prices due to the lack of storage and processing units facilities. Local farmers are not aware of benefits of processing units and they have not been provided with required infrastructure support. Due to the unavailability of cold storage system, most of the farmers of this region store dates in open areas/gardens, consequently a huge amount of date spoiled in garden due to microbial contamination.

Possible Solutions

Government should gear up R&D in the region, provide processing unit and cold storage rooms, promote solar drying techniques, develop packaging standards and market linkages, quality control and certification to the related areas and improved supply chain system. Moreover, awareness should be spread among the farmers about correct methods and dose of using fertilizers and insecticides by which quality production will be ensured that contribute to increase GDP. By implementing these practices, Makran can significantly improve dates storage practices, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the economic prospects of local date palm farmers and small businesses.

^*Corresponding author.  Email: shafa.nayab@mnsuam.edu.pk