Country losing $200 millions annually due to fruit flies attack: experts

The country is losing $200 million annually owing to fruit fly which is a serious threat to export of fruits and vegetables, warned agricultural experts. The seminar in connection with fruit fly management week was arranged by Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture Faisalabad in collaboration with district government on the directive of Punjab government.
Presiding over seminar, UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqbal Zafar said modern practices must be promoted and practiced in the fields to fight the attack of different insects on the field. He said that if fruit fly issue was not addressed at the national level, it would not only dent our agricultural exports but also causes reduction in the production.
He lauded the steps being taken on the part of Punjab government for the uplift of the sector and to promote the modern techniques and practices. He said plant protection measures helped increase per hectare yield by protecting crops from diseases and controlling the pests. He said we have to educate the farming community to tackle the situation that will jack up their income and reduce the poverty.
Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr Muhammad Amjad Aulakh said that fruit fly management is still a challenge. He said that last year, Indian mangoes export to Europe was banned due to fruit fly whereas the warning was also issued to Pakistan. He suggested creating the awareness about the fruit fly at the school level across the province.
Chairman Department of Entomology, Dr Jalal Arif said that fruit fly was inflicting losses worth $150 million to United States, $242 million to Brazil, $159 million to Australia and $100 million to India.
He said that the week is being observed on the directive of Punjab government to raise the awareness and its measures in the farming community and general public. Dr Aman Ullah, Director Institute of Horticulture Sciences said commercial technologies for fruit fly disinfection includes cold treatments, irradiation, heat treatments, hot water treatment and vapour heat treatments whereas importing country requirement to be kept in mind.
Deputy Director Plant Production Vehari, Kashif Nadeem said that chemical sprays exceeding maximum residual limits (MRL) were posing challenge for the export. He said that the government was taking all possible measures to address the issue of fruit fly. He said that we have to make the collaborated efforts on the part of extension workers, agricultural experts and community.
Dr Muhammad Dildar Gogi, Assistant Professor Entomology Department said that in 2013, almost all mango shipments/consignments from Pakistan were disposed off by the quarantine department of UK because of the detection of fruit flies inside the fruits.
Talking about why Chemical sprays are not effective, he said that spray is made on upper side of the leaf and mostly contact poisons that's why chances to come in direct contact to poison very less. Dr Waqas Wakeel and Dr Abid Ali also spoke on the occasion.