Growers harvest tips advice to mango exports

MULTAN: Agriculture experts have urged mango growers to harvest the fruit carefully so as to enhance its shelf life prior to transportation to foreign markets.

Mango is ready for harvest when ripe from all sides including shoulders, and five to ten fruit fall from each tree.

The fruit has 8-10 degree of sweetness, says release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department here Thursday. Harvesting at the above mentioned level of sweetness was also suitable for export of mango for it enhances its post-harvest shelfd life.

Experts said that growers should have direct access to the fruit, cut it along with four to five inch stalk, and then put it in a cloth bag. Harvesting should be done early in the morning to avoid impact of heat. Fruit should be sorted in accordance with their sizes and the entire lot must be disease free.

"The fruit should be washed with cold water to reduce its internal temperature and be packed in 2 to 5 kg card boxes after application of anti-fungal medicines", the release stated.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011