LAHORE, Nov 10 (ABC): American pecan nuts are now being successfully cultivated in central and northern Punjab, offering new opportunities for farmers to grow a high-value crop traditionally associated with the United States and Mexico.
Agricultural scientists have identified several areas of Punjab with suitable conditions for pecan cultivation. Moreover, researchers have developed a local variety, raising prospects for commercial production and import substitution.
Muhammad Aqeel Feroze, senior scientist (horticulture) at the Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Chakwal, told Wealth Pakistan that pecan cultivation was not limited to colder mountainous regions.
“Several areas of Punjab have the potential for pecan cultivation, and its suitability should not be restricted to colder mountainous regions,” he said.
According to him, the Potohar region offers promising conditions for pecan farming, particularly in Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum and Rawalpindi. Similarly, central Punjab districts, including Lahore and Sargodha, have potential for growing the crop.
Local pecan variety developed after decade of research
Aqeel Feroze said BARI, Chakwal, began research on pecan cultivation about a decade ago. The institute has since developed a local pecan variety, DMA-2, which has received approval from the Punjab Seed Council.
“The research has resulted in the development of a local pecan variety, DMA-2, which has been approved by the Punjab Seed Council. This represents an encouraging achievement in local agricultural research,” he said.
Meanwhile, individual pecan trees are already growing and producing nuts in Lahore and Sargodha. Some residents have planted one or two trees in their home gardens and successfully obtained fruit.
Aqeel Feroze said southern Punjab districts, particularly Vehari and Bahawalpur, could also undergo experimental cultivation. However, scientists must first assess their commercial suitability, especially winter chilling requirements and summer heat management.
Pecan is a deciduous nut tree that can tolerate relatively high summer temperatures when adequate soil moisture is available. However, successful cultivation also depends on winter chilling, flowering synchronisation, pollination and nut maturity.
Several American pecan varieties have gained international recognition, including Wichita, Pawnee, Western Schley, Stuart, Mahan and Desirable.
For Punjab, Aqeel Feroze recommended varieties that require less winter chilling and mature early or within a medium period. Such varieties should also tolerate heat, produce consistent yields and offer superior nut quality.
He explained that pecan trees depend mainly on cross-pollination. Therefore, farmers must plant compatible Type I and Type II varieties to achieve effective pollination and fruit setting.
Although DMA-2 represents an important achievement, researchers still need to evaluate its commercial performance across different climatic zones.
Climate and planting material pose challenges
Aqeel Feroze identified the limited availability of genuine, properly identified planting material as a major challenge to pecan cultivation. In addition, insufficient winter chilling could affect bud break and flowering.
“High summer temperatures, particularly when accompanied by water stress, are also a major obstacle to the growth of pecan trees,” he said.
Nevertheless, he believed Pakistan had considerable potential to develop pecan farming as a high-value agricultural activity. Local production could also help reduce dependence on imported nuts.
However, he stressed that commercial expansion should follow proper scientific evaluation to ensure suitable varieties and growing conditions.
Imported pecan nuts currently sell for Rs4,500 to Rs6,000 per kilogram in major urban centres, including Lahore and Karachi.
Pecan kernels are widely used in confectionery, bakery products, chocolates and other premium food items. Consequently, local production could create business opportunities for farmers, nurseries, food processors and agricultural entrepreneurs.
Pecan cultivation also shows potential in Balochistan
Besides Punjab, farmers and researchers have successfully cultivated pecan nuts in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Prof. Dr Shahjahan Shabbir Rana of the Department of Horticulture and Biotechnology at BUITEMS, Quetta, said researchers had experimented with pecan and other American walnut varieties in Balochistan.
“The cultivation of pecan and other American walnut varieties has been experimented with in different parts of Balochistan,” he told Wealth Pakistan.
According to Dr Shahjahan, further trials could help determine which varieties perform best under the province’s climatic conditions. In particular, Ziarat and other suitable areas could offer opportunities for expanding pecan cultivation.
He said researchers needed to assess climate suitability and varietal adaptability before recommending wider commercial production.
“If adopted after due research, the cultivation of pecan and walnut varieties could become a commercially viable activity in this part of Pakistan,” Dr Shahjahan said.
