ZCZC
BSS-02
GUAVA-FARMING-PROSPECTS (with picture)
Guava farming becomes boon for many Rajshahi people
RAJSHAHI, Aug 27, 2018 (BSS) – Many people have changed their fate by
farming and trading guava in particular Thai variety in the region including
its vast Barind tract with expending its farming every year.
Nazrul Islam, a guava cultivator of village Palpur in Godagari upazila said
today, “I have been gaining good profit cultivating Guava on Commercial basis
for the last several years”.
He said “If farmers use chemical fertilizers, they won’t get guava all
over the year and those will not look fresh. The organic method is the secret
under successful guava farming.”
Since 2010, the region has seen a revolution in guava farming. Farmers are
now growing guava on vast tract of land. Around 6,000 farm entrepreneurs are
directly involved in Guava cultivation and most of these people are educated,
said Agriculturist SM Mustafizur Rahman, Additional Director at Department of
Agriculture Extension (DAE).
Integrated Quality Horticulture Development Project of the DAE has played a
vital role in guava cultivation abundantly. Under this project, 600 farmers,
farm entrepreneurs, labourers from Rajshahi and surrounding districts have
been trained in 20 batches.
Meanwhile, a silent revolution has happened in Thai guava farming for its
gradual rising demands and lucrative market price everywhere in the region at
present.
Many farmers and unemployed people are now cultivating the variety because
of its prospects and suitable land condition.
“Guava is supposed to be the main cash crop in near future in the region as
its topography and climate condition is very much suitable for this crop,”
said Dev Dulal Dhali, Deputy Director of DAE, here on Sunday.
He said the crop is being cultivated on more than 4,500 hectares of land in
the region of Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Chapainawabganj districts while
there are over 1500 orchards of Thai guava at present.
DAE has given knowledge to the farmers about the cultivation process of
Thai variety.
Dr Alim Uddin, Principal Scientific Officer of Regional Fruit Research
Station, said Thai guava is more nutritious than Kazi guava. It is
comparatively big in size and market value is higher than Kazi guava. Per
kilogram of Thai Guava is now being sold at Tk 90 to 120.
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