Number of mango trees dwindles

The number of mango trees has decreased alarmingly over the past 20 years due to the high density of salt and lack of fresh water for irrigation, a senior official said.

Ibrahim Abdul Rahman Ali, director of the Agricultural Zone in the Eastern Region, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, explained the salt density in Masafi is very high which kills mango trees and hinders the growth of saplings.

"We will replace the current flood irrigation system with a drip irrigation system in all farms of the region. The water pipe network will be set up and is expected to be completed in the next three years," he said.

However, there are about 6,000 farms in the region which have a low salt density and water is fresh.

He said: "We have two nurseries in Fujairah and Dibba which are considered the biggest in the UAE. Farmers are supplied annually with mango saplings."

Rashid Al Salami, a farmer in Masafi, said: "Underground water in Masafi either becomes salty or sulphuric which kills the mango trees. We bring fresh water from neighbouring areas by tankers. If the water problem is solved then farmers can sustain the mango trees longer."

Al Salami called on the authorities to help farmers keep these plants alive. Masafi has been known as the largest producer of mangoes in the UAE.

He said: "Unless research is conducted, mango trees might disappear. Farmers should also be provided with fertilisers and pesticides."