Guava Plants in My Farms in Badbar

Our Guava trees, being my favorite fruit, I eat guava everyday in the winters I am in India.

About 7 years ago, I had a memorable meeting with one of our patients, Happy Virji, who was pioneering organic farmer in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He shared with me how he acquired hundreds of acres and developed them fully through organic methods. When I asked how he marketed his produce, he explained how he had set up small stalls in nearby villages, trained local people to sell directly there, and in doing so created both a name and a sustainable model for himself in the state.

We planted these plants in the 2018 winters

Inspired, I thought I should try something similar in my own fields. He suggested that, for a start, I plant a few guava (Goa) trees. My immediate question was, “But how will I sell the produce?” His reply was simple and full of vision: once the trees matured, the fruits could be contracted out to villagers who would sell them at roadside stalls—bringing income both for themselves and for me.

We planted about 20 saplings on the ‘Pahi’ of my field.

Harvinder was particularly enthusiastic, so I asked my worker to buy 20 saplings as a pilot project.

Saplings planted

We planted them along the ‘Pahi’a Kacha mud road. At first, the saplings were so small, and for years all I could see was slow growth—nothing more.Professional

Our visit to Farms on Oct 13, 2023.

After five or six years, they looked strong, but still no flowers or fruits. When the contractor changed, I suggested he add some fertilizer, gypsum, and water. He did, but still there was no visible result. Last year, I even told him, “Maybe we should prune them and replace with new plants.” But then I decided to wait just one more year.

The Guava trees are well taken care of and started bearing fruits in mid Sep 2025.

Healthy fruits are big attraction.

Trees are laden with guava fruits.

This year, Punjab has seen heavy rains and floods. While thankfully my village and fields were spared, the underground water levels rose significantly. And to my great surprise—suddenly my guava plants came alive! They are full of fruits, healthy and green.

https://youtube.com/shorts/2Qay9QaU07U?si=WUCszvaPJaADxStg

Video link sent by Manjit singh

My man, Manjeet Singh, sent me a beautiful video of them. Both Harvinder and I were so excited—we must have watched that short clip again and again, with the same joy each time.

Manjit Singh

I have requested him to send me another video in three or four weeks, when the fruits ripen fully, so I can know their sweetness and taste. Out of the 20 saplings, about 15–16 have survived well, and 7–8 of them have grown into medium-sized trees.

My little pilot project has finally borne fruit—literally! And it is such a thrill to see and record this moment after years of waiting