JHALKATI — A floating guava market in the Bhimruli canal in Kirttipasha union of Jhalkati Sadar upazila has become a tourist draw, attracting visitors from across the country and from abroad.
Algeria’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Abdelouahab Saidani, recently visited the floating market. After his tour, the ambassador said he was charmed by the natural beauty and tradition of the floating bazaar. Guavas are not grown in Algeria, he said, adding that there is potential to export guavas from this region.
Each morning, farmers arrive at the market in small boats to sell guavas. The peak season runs from the start of the Bengali month of Shraban through Bhadra. During this period, guavas are sold daily, with sales heaviest on Fridays. Wholesale prices currently run 700 to 800 taka per maund. Besides guavas, the market also sells amra, lemon and other fruits and vegetables. A private park has been built within the guava orchards to entertain tourists, with children’s rides and other amusements.
Several guava farmers, including Parimal Haldar and Basrojit, said this year’s harvest has been poor, though prices have been reasonably good. Farmers will earn more this year than last, they said. “Guava farming is our main source of income. This year the harvest was poor because of insufficient rain. In previous years we used to sell 4 to 5 maunds of guavas a day, but this year we are selling only 10 to 60 kilograms,” one farmer said.
Sanchay Haldar, a wholesale guava buyer, said wholesalers come from across the country to buy here. “The price of guavas has doubled this year compared with last year because the harvest is down. Wholesalers are not making much profit,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report