Guava farming boosts solvency among extreme poor growers in Natore

FE Team | Published: January 26, 2019 20:18:51

Roving Correspondent
NATORE, Jan 26: Guava farming is boosting solvency among extreme poor farmers due to its satisfactory market price in Natore district.
Getting good profit, a good number of farmers in the region has shifted from paddy farming to guava in the last few years. The farming does not require irrigation at all.
Sub-assistance agriculture officer Azizur Rahman said the water-stressed Barind region is perfect for growing guavas on a large scale. But cultivation on the red, dry soil on the highlands also presents farmers many challenges.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office sources, they cultivated guavas on over 1,400 hectares of land aiming 1,000 tonnes of yield this season.
DAE sources said, the farmers have already started harvesting the fruit on a commercially basis. Farmers gave emphasis on organic fertiliser along with chemical to increase the yield.
Instead of spraying pesticides, they wrapped each fruit with food-grade poly bags to keep insects away. It prevents fungal spots from appearing on the fruit as well.
Abdul Mannan under Lalpur upazila said, he began guava farming in 2016 as the authority concern has provided all sort of necessary agro-inputs. He has made over Tk 0.2 million from the farm last year and was expecting to make Tk 0.1 million this season, he added.
The wholesalers are exporting the fruit to Dhaka, Chittagong and Narayanganj meeting local demand, said wholesaler Samsul Islam under Singra upazila. The wholesalers from the different district visit the big market and purchase guavas from the peasants directly, he added.
These trees bear fruit all year round, but prices are the highest in winter as there are fewer fruits available then said deputy director of DAE Rafiqul Islam. We have provided all sort of necessary agro-inputs among the farmers to make the programme a success, he added.
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