Guava growers in the district are being deprived of fair price of their produce due to communication problem.

Sources concerned said, for the development of the communication system in the district, especially the part covering the guava growing areas, Jica (Japan International Cooperation Agency) started implementing a project one year ago.

Then guava growers hoped that they would be able to earn good profit by sending their produce to different districts, including Dhaka using the roadways, on implementation of the project financed by Japan.

However, construction work of the two kilometre road from Bawkathi to Bhimruli, main floating market of guava, and four bridges remained stuck halfway.

Guava growers said due to communication hindrance, they are being deprived of getting fair price of their produce.

They said guava is grown in the orchards at 36 villages in Sadar upazila and Sharupkathi upazila.

Farmers of the villages cultivate guava as the main cash crop.

Some traders said demand for guava is high as some food companies are purchasing the item from the floating market of the popular fruit.

Guava sells at throwaway prices on the day when the representatives of the companies do not come to buy the fruit.

The fruit is being sold at different small markets at Athghar, Kuriana, Bhimruli, Ata, Jamua, Shatdashkathi and Jhagadishpur of the fruit growing region.

The biggest floating market of guava in the region is located at Bhimruli where growers from different villages bring guava to sell.

Deputy director of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office in Jhalakathi Abdul Aziz Farazi said growers have got good yield of guava this year, adding that the quality of harvested fruit is also good.

He, however, said growers are not getting fair price of their produce as the road construction project is yet to be completed.