Four decades ago, Honours graduate Ainab Ali went abroad in search of his fortune. Ironically, it was when he returned home and turned to guava cultivation that he truly found success. "The decision to go abroad wasn't the right decision," he says. "It's better to grow guavas."

The sweet, green fruit has long been popular in Bangladesh. A little salt on a guava slice is a well-liked treat, almost a taste of national culture. From Jhalakathi's floating bazaar on the Kirtipasha canal, in the midst of Bhimruli's remote, swampy terrain, to the plains of Narsingdi, guava cultivation has rewarded many an entrepreneur.

Nowadays a happy man, Ali has found success in his guava orchard, earning sufficiently to give his family a decent standard of living.

In Mati O Manush aired on BTV a long while back I featured kazi guavas, a variety commonly grown on rooftop gardens which, as they regularly weigh more than one kilogram per piece are affectionately called "KG guavas." We must always be thankful to the agricultural scientist Dr. Kazi M. Badruddoza for introducing this variety to Narsingdi district in the 1980s. Kazi guavas have subsequently revolutionised the local industry.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Shibpur and Srishtigar villages where the trees in huge orchards currently bend from the weight of the fruit.

One orchard there is owned by Shaheen Mridha, who also cultivates aubergine. Originally set on one bigha of land, his uncle Ainab encouraged him to dedicate another three bighas to guavas, and the investment paid off. Guavas have become his main income source and left his family quite well-off. "I am doing fantastically well," he says, in high spirits.

Interestingly, according to locals much of the land in the area was barren only a few decades ago. But now per acre a farmer can earn about Tk. 5 lakhs per year. Guavas have not only changed the lives of farming families, but have bettered the fortunes of entire communities.

Altab Hossain, another local, says markets are vibrant as traders arrive regularly to buy large quantities of the kazi guavas. In Shrishtigar bazaar alone around 40 tonnes of guavas are sold daily. Further, harvest quality and quantity has improved since farmers have begun to use bagging systems that protect the fruit from insect and disease. This technology ensures fresh guavas for both Narsingdi farmers and consumers nationwide.

Orchardist Morshed Mian from Kulutek village, a Masters student, is growing kazi guavas in his two-bigha orchard, while a neighbour Mobarak has similarly started guava farming. Both are doing well.

"I'm happy to be working for myself and kazi guavas are really popular. The profit is good," says Mian. "Kazi guavas are healthy. I'm glad to deliver these to consumers," adds Mobarak.

According to statistics, Narsingdi has 700 acres dedicated to guava production, with 600 of those growing the kazi variety. Lotafot Hossain, a deputy director of the local department of agriculture extension office says Thai guavas are also doing well.

Dear readers, when driving the Dhaka to Sylhet highway you're sure to notice the extensive orchards, to see indeed people selling guavas along the roadside. It's worthwhile to take a minute to consider the significant contribution guava cultivation has made in bringing new prosperity to orchardists, their families and entire communities. Better news: there's little reason to think the guava industry will not continue to expand, with the development of processing industries holding the potential to bring about still greater success.