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For generations, guava has been synonymous with Nesarabad's unique floating market in Pirojpur, Bangladesh. However, hog plum has emerged as a highly profitable alternative, transforming the region's traditional wetland farming system and offering farmers a lucrative path.

The economic incentive is clear: farmers report that a bigha of land dedicated to guava may yield up to Tk 40,000 annually, while the same area cultivated with hog plum can generate as much as Tk 5,00,000. Hog plum commands prices between Tk 1,000-2,000 per maund, significantly higher than guava's peak price of around Tk 800. This financial advantage has led to a rapid expansion of hog plum cultivation.

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Nearly every household here depends on guava and hog plum in one way or another.

While hog plum's popularity grows, farmers are not abandoning guava, which holds deep cultural significance. Many anticipate that both crops will coexist, with guava preserving heritage and hog plum securing economic future. The region's trade sustains thousands of families, with canals becoming busy waterways during monsoon as farmers transport their harvests to floating markets. Improved road links have also been crucial, enabling trucks and pickup vans to quickly deliver fruit nationwide.

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Farmers say guava yields have declined in recent years, a trend some attribute to greater use of chemical herbicides.