This hybrid variety costs Rs. 180 per kg

If one takes the road towards Crawford Hall from the DC’s office, one would definitely stop to look at the giant sized guavas, being sold by vendors on their bicycles. While some motorists stopped to buy these, others after hearing that it costs Rs. 180 per kg, drive off.

Siddaraju, a fruit vendor from Rammanahalli, selling these guavas near Crawford Hall, innocently claimed that these guavas were from Ireland and had arrived at Bengaluru from        where he buys.

He said that he goes to Bengaluru market once in two days, purchases about 15 kgs of guavas, brings it to city and sells them. These guavas are seedless and sweet, he says and claims that this fruit is good for BP and diabetes patients.

While guava is known to be a much sought-after fruit for its benefits, now overseas guava variety seems to be pushing the indigenous varieties off the market shelves.

Dinesh Kumar, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, Mysuru, speaking to Star of Mysore, said that these giant fruits are grown only on plants that have come up through grafting and the fruit is called as ‘Thai Guavas’ as the fruit originated from Thailand.

He said that this fruit had less nutritional values compared to the native ones which are smaller in size and rich in nutrients especially Vitamin C.

Dinesh said that the hybrid variety is grown in different parts across the country especially in Chattisgarh and Maharashtra and added that the giant guavas have more pulp and less seed.

He said that the Horticulture Department was planning to grow such hybrid varieties through high-density farming in parts of Mysuru district shortly only as a demonstration and not commercially.

These giant guavas are also being sold on Ashoka Road, near St. Philomena’s College on Bengaluru-Mysuru Road and other places in city.