By Mah Noor Shah
A fast-spreading, plant-like virus has severely impacted lemon orchards across Kech district, raising alarm among local farmers who fear devastating losses to their main source of income.
According to agricultural experts, the virus attacks both the outer and inner structure of lemon trees, weakening them from within and drastically reducing fruit production. Several orchards across the region have reported extensive damage over large tracts of cultivated land.
Farmers say the outbreak has caused a noticeable drop in yield, directly affecting their livelihoods. Despite repeated concerns raised by growers, they allege that the local agriculture department has failed to respond effectively — with no field surveys or awareness campaigns initiated so far.
“We are suffering financially, and no one is coming to check the damage,” said a grower near Hoshab. Others in the region echoed similar concerns, warning that the situation could worsen if left unaddressed.
The farming community is now appealing to the Government of Balochistan to urgently deploy a team of plant pathologists to investigate the outbreak. They are also demanding the removal of infected trees and the launch of a targeted pesticide spray campaign to control further spread.
