Guava farming on fallow and uncultivated land in various parts of Feni is showing great promise. Several entrepreneurs have already succeeded and many others have followed them. Because the year-round guava grown in Feni has good taste and nutritional value, the agriculture department is advising people on setting up orchards. This season guava has been grown on 180 hectares, which should yield at least 2,000 tonnes worth more than Tk 8 crore.

Guava was once grown in Feni only as a hobby, with trees in yards and on empty land around homes. Now it has become a blessing for Feni's entrepreneurs. Guava trees are planted commercially not just around homes but on fallow land in various places, and the fruit, after changing hands, meets the district's demand and goes on to neighbouring districts.

According to the agriculture department, a few entrepreneurs began growing guava on a small scale in Feni around 2015. Good yields led to commercial expansion. In 2020 the district grew guava on 117 hectares, producing 1,300 tonnes. Because of the fruit's nutrition, taste and yield, the area this season has reached 180 hectares, which should produce at least 2,000 tonnes.

At the K Pahalia Agro guava orchard in Kalidah union of Sadar upazila, a 7-acre orchard has been set up. Clusters of guava hang from its 3,200 trees, and the owners and workers are busy tending the trees and picking fruit.

Farid Uddin Masud, director of the orchard, said: "A few years ago eight of us set up an integrated orchard on fallow land on the bank of the Kalidas Pahalia river. There are more than 3,000 guava trees. Around 2021 we planted guava on the agriculture department's advice and got a good yield. BARI-3, BAU-3 and 5, and Thai varieties have given the best yields. These trees fruit all year round. Each tree produces up to 60-65 kg of guava a year, and on average each tree gives Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 worth of guava a year."

He said orchard prices vary with time and season, from Tk 30 to Tk 70 a kg. Many people come to the orchard to buy directly. This year the orchard could produce at least 192.5 tonnes.

Sub-assistant agriculture officer Md Abu Toyeb said: "Even calculating the guava produced at K Pahalia Agro at Tk 40 a kg, at least Tk 77 lakh worth will be sold this year. After the orchard's costs, the owners will make a profit of at least Tk 30 lakh a year."

In Dharmapur union of Feni Sadar upazila, three young men have set up an orchard called Jannat Agro on abandoned land. On 3 acres, 1,200 guava trees carry lakhs of taka worth of fruit, and buyers come every day from the surrounding area.

Its director, Tofayel Ahammad Roni, said: "We have planted 1,200 guava trees of the Golden-8 (Thai), Madhabi and Taiwan Pink varieties. This year we expect 40-50 kg of guava from each tree, planted three years ago. We sell guava wholesale at Tk 30-40 a kg. Seeing us, many people nearby have now started guava orchards."

Feni Sadar upazila agriculture officer Md Mohi Uddin said: "Sandy and loam soils are the most suitable for guava. Because various fallow sites in Feni have this soil, local people have planted year-round guava commercially and got good yields. We in the agriculture department have been giving entrepreneurs the advice and support they need."

Mohammad Atik Ullah, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Feni, said: "Guava orchards have increased in Feni because they are profitable. The district now has guava orchards on 180 hectares. The guava they produce meets Feni's demand and is also sent commercially to neighbouring districts."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.