Guava and mango combo increases farmers’ income

Lucknow: In recent years, most farmers have shifted towards gardening instead of traditional farming to earn a hefty amount. As per Sushil Shukla, a senior scientist at the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (ICAR-CISH) in Rahmankheda, sowing guava trees along with mango is likely to increase farmers’ income. For doing this, mango trees should be spaced 10 meters apart and guava trees can be planted in between at a distance of 5-5.5 meters. This method allows for more guava trees and provides longer and better income.

Sushil Shukla mentioned a new variety of guava called ‘Lalit’; it has pink flesh inside and a yellow-orange outer skin with a red glow. The texture of the fruit is firm, and it is perfect for both fresh eating as well as preserving. Most importantly, this variety produces 24% more yield in comparison to the famed ‘Alllahabad Safeda’. This kind of guava is wonderful as far as commercial farming is concerned.

Also Read: Researchers develop monitoring devices to check air pollution in Vizag

The ‘Shweta’ variety is another high-yielding guava type, selected from apple-colored guava plants. The tree is medium-sized, with round fruits and soft seeds. Each fruit weighs around 225 grams, and with good care, a tree can produce about 90 kg of fruit in one season.

The monsoon season is the best time to plant guava trees, but if irrigation is available, planting can also be done in February-March. According to T. Damodaran, the director of ICAR-CISH, guava is rich in vitamin C, sugar, and pectin, along with other minerals, vitamins, and fiber, which is why it is called the “fruit of immortality” and the “poor man’s apple.