Mr Ibrahim Aliyu, a guava farmer in Bula community, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, said he generated N2.5 million from guava agribusiness in 2023.

Aliyu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akko on Monday.

He described guava farming as “lucrative agribusiness,” that youth could harness to improve their livelihoods and become self-reliant, adding that farmers in the community were making “good income” from guava cultivation and orchards.

Aliyu, who is also the Chairman, Guava Farmers Association in the area, said he planted over 3,700 guava trees in his orchards that enabled him to earn over N2.5 million last year.

“In 2023, I made N2.5 million from guava cultivation alone besides maize, sorghum and beans.

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“We have plenty of youths who practice guava farming to earn a living.

“This is good because planting guava trees is our own way of supporting the state government’s fight against desertification and climate related issues,” he said.

Aliyu said that about 120 farmers engaged in commercial guava cultivation, adding that the trade provided means of livelihoods to the youth in the area.

He said the fruits were being transported to markets in Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of Gombe State.

According to him, guava farming helps in tackling poverty and unemployment amongst the youths and advised them to venture into the trade to empower themselves.

“Guava agribusiness does not require much effort or cost to grow the juicy fruit. It has species that matures within short period of time, and the yield is good and sweet,” he said.

Aliyu, however, decried lack of extension services, to address some of the issues affecting guava cultivation.

He urged the government to provide technical assistance to boost guava cultivation in the state.