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Saeed Rahman
LARKANA, Jan 01 (APP):The guava’s origin traces back to a region believed to be Mexico, Central America, or the wider area of northern South America. However, historical evidence of guava cultivation dates back to around 2500 BC. Today, guavas are cultivated in many countries commercially. Apple and guava cultivation is internationally traded on a large scale. Guavas are also grown in southwestern Europe, particularly in Spain and Greece, where they have been cultivated commercially since the mid-20th century.
The guava is an evergreen shrub-like medium-sized tree. It has a slender trunk with smooth green to reddish-brown bark. The fruit is elongated and oval-shaped, ranging from green to yellow in color. Initially, the guava plant requires full sunlight for optimal flowering and fruiting and needs protection from cold. Later, however, the guava tree can survive without water during dry, hot summers. Nutrition experts consider guava fruit beneficial in preventing cancer and excellent for eyesight. Guava helps reduce blood sugar levels, aids in weight loss, boosts immunity, and benefits the digestive system. Guava is also a traditional remedy for various diseases.
Guava is also produced in large quantities in Pakistan. Larkana is the country’s third-largest city and holds a distinct identity nationwide for its guavas. Guavas from here are exported not only across the country but also abroad. As winter arrives, Larkana’s guavas begin to ripen; as the cold intensifies, the guavas become sweeter in flavor. Larkana’s guavas reach major city markets in Pakistan—particularly Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, and Peshawar—and are exported to Afghanistan, Iran, and from there to Central Asian countries.
Larkana’s guava is a famous and well-known fruit, unique in winter for its sweetness. Thousands of acres in various areas of Larkana are dedicated to guava cultivation, supplying the entire region and the country. Larkana city is called the hub of guavas. Due to guava production, Larkana is an agriculturally important city. Larkana’s guavas are renowned throughout the country for their aroma, quality, and distinctive taste. Increasing cold enhances the sweetness and flavor of the guava. Larkana’s guavas are flavorful in winter, but the flavor develops best when the weather is cold. However, extreme cold also affects them, especially the new, small guavas that are developing.
Among other varieties of Larkana’s guavas, one type is named after former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and this variety is also very famous. It is known to be excellent from a business perspective because in Larkana’s area of Naudero, which is Benazir Bhutto’s constituency, guavas are grown in large numbers, and one variety has been named “Benazir Bhutto,” which is very popular. Now this guava is famous throughout the country. Most of this variety’s production comes from Larkana, and they have greater sweetness and flavor. Guavas grown in Larkana are elongated, though some round varieties are also found. The area of Larkana is called the city of guava orchards, surrounded by guava gardens.
If there were a local wholesale market in Larkana, guava prices would increase. However, due to the absence of such a market here, landowners struggle to cover their expenses amid inflation. On the other hand, laborers who harvest guavas in the orchards also receive low wages for harvesting guavas in this inflationary period. In this regard, laborers say that contractors pay wages that do not match inflation. Therefore, the government should open a guava market in Larkana so that the prices of this famous sweet local specialty increase, and taxes and other charges can be avoided. However, at the local level, people come to the orchards and buy fresh sweet guavas.
On holidays, families often visit these orchards with their children to enjoy natural scenery, have picnics, and buy guavas. Guavas are also available in Larkana city, but buying fresh guavas directly from the orchar