LARKANA: The representatives of growers` bodies and officials of Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) have underlined the need for developing guava business on modern lines by adopting latest scientific methods to enhance per acre yield and promote agrarian economy.

They were speaking at a seminar held at Rashdi Farm in Naudero jointly organised by Sindh Chamber of Agriculture and TDAP on Thursday. Mir Muhsin Bullo, deputy director of TDAP, said that collective efforts for introducing Sindh`s guava to international markets would bear fruit and prove beneficial for the country`s economy.

Sajjad Channa, landlord, criticised TDAP for its neglect of growers` issues and said the organisation had never fulfilled its commit-ments in past. `They come, make promises and then forget about them,` he said.

In past, he said, the TDAP had promised sending guava growers abroad to tap export markets in Middle East but unfortunately `favourites` were sent instead of genuine growers and the practice fizzled out soon.

This time again the situation would not be different, he said.

Fida Hussain Mahesar, deputy director of TDAP, said that all out efforts would be made this time to facilitate guava growers by offering them hefty loans. Landlords and orchard owners could now reap benefits of the huge loans and utilise them in introducing and promoting guava in international markets, he said. `We are practical and not making false promises,` he said.

Sirajul Auliya Rashdi, president of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Larkana chapter, said that this year guava production reached19,000 metric tonnes which was 2,000 tonnes more than the last year`s harvest.

He talked about `high density` planting pattern of guava trees to reap thrice as much as previous production. It was need of the hour to adopt scientific methods to reap higher yield from smaller tracts of land.

`The guava orchards are climate-friendly which badly require `water` in time paired with other essential inputs, else, owners will prefer to chop down the tress and cultivate other crops,` he said.

He said that acute shortage of irrigation water would severely affect orchards and the production. All canals originating from the right bank of Sukkur barrage were running dry whereas the situation in Khithar Canal itself was quite depressing which irrigated vast agriculture land in Balochistan, he said.

He feared the lack of required water would deprive the fruit its natural sweetnessand it would deal massive blow to the orchard owners, he said.

Asad Solangi, deputy director of agriculture, explained the measures his department ahd taken to address the issues of fruit fly and mealy bug attacks on guava through biological control system.

Bhutto Estate`s general manager A.D.

Bhutto described Sindh government`s efforts for encouraging guava orchard owners by extending them facilities. Bilawal BhuttoZardari had issued instructions to protect growers` interests, he said.

Sindh Abadgar Board representatives Irfan Jatoi, Zulfikar Baloch of Sindh Hari Abadgar Board and a host of other speakers made a unanimous demand for early and required availability of irrigation water. If measures were not put in place in time drought like conditions would hit agriculture the backbone of economy.