Barishal guava growers all set to welcome tourists

Guava farmers in around 55 villages of Barishal are expecting a tourism boost following the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.

Local said the guava farmers of Pirojpur’s Shorupkathi, Jhalkathi Sadar and Banaripara of Barishal will spend busy time for the next three months with their 150-year-old traditional business.

The villages, known for their guava production, expect a boost in the sale of their harvest along with an increase in tourists as people from all walks of life are being expected to visit the orchards to buy the vitamin C enriched fruit.

The region is now busy with guava harvest and trade is going on in full swing.

Many recreational facilities and entertainment centres are being built around the guava markets in the region as businessmen expect financial prosperity.

Farmers have set up parks in their guava orchards so visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the gardens and buy organic produce straight from them. The parks have recreational options as well as food shops for the tourist’s
benefit.

One such park is Gaurav Ecopark adjacent to the Bhimruli floating guava market in Jhalkathi Sadar. The proprietor Gautam Roy Sumon built the park on 2 acres of land providing seating areas and playgrounds for children.

The businessmen also expect the floating guava markets to be a tourist attraction. The traders bring their harvests via boats to ghats to sell, which earned the name of floating markets.

Bhimruli floating guava market, about 15 km from Jhalkathi Sadar is the largest guava market in the country. The market is at the connecting point of three different canals.

Farmers come to the floating market in hundreds of boats every day to sell guavas. Wholesalers bring trucks and big trawlers to buy the produce and transport them to many districts of the country.

Traders are hopeful that more wholesalers and tourists will visit this year now that there is no hassle of taking a ferry due to the inauguration of Padma Bridge.

About 55 villages of Jhalkathi Sadar upazila, Shorupkathi of Pirojpur and Banaripara of Barishal are known for their guava production. Residents of these villages get busy with their trade during June, July and August every year.

According to the guava farmers of the Bhimruli area, guava cultivation is a traditional livelihood for them.

This year due to scarce rain in the area the trees bore fruit later than usual. But they are hopeful about a bumper production.

Raju Khan, a tourist from Madaripur said, they visit the area every year. As a result of the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, there is a possibility that more tourists will visit this year.

Abdul Latif Bepari, a buyer from Bhola, said that the demand for this guava, known as the apple of Bengal, is everywhere in the country. But the local administration is not taking any steps to facilitate these guava farmers and traders and improve the industry.

“A facility to process and market the guavas quickly is needed. Also, better accommodation for the traders will improve the industry exponentially,” said Abdul Latif.

Assistant Director, Department of Agricultural Extention Jhalkathi, MD Monirul Islam said due to the Padma Bridge, it will be possible to supply not only guavas but also other agricultural products to the entire country including Dhaka in a short period of time.

“This will ensure fair prices for the farmers as well as improve the socio-economic condition of the region,” he added.