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Farmers are passing busy days cultivating watermelons, the popular summer fruit, in Barguna district.
Growers are cultivating watermelons in more lands than the target this year as they got fair prices for the fruit last year, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said.
However, farmers expressed resentment over the price hikes of seeds, pesticides and fertilisers for cultivation.
A major portion of the nationwide demand for watermelons is met from Barguna, while the watermelons of this region are also in high demand across the country as they are delicious.
This correspondent visited different villages of the district and saw growers along with their family members preparing lands for sowing watermelon seeds.
According to the DAE in Barguna, this year the fruit will be cultivated in 17,500 hectares of land, including 10,000 hectares in Sadar upazila, 5,000 hectares in Amtali, and 2,000 hectares in Taltali upazila. Last year, 11,500 hectares of land were cultivated for watermelons in the district.
Farmers, however, said the prices of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides have increased compared to last year. In some areas, unscrupulous traders sell a 50kg sack of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) at Tk 1,300 to Tk 1,500.
Growers said they are buying fertiliser spending Tk 200 to Tk 400 more per sack.
As per the government-fixed rate, a 50 kg sack of TSP should sell for Tk 1,100.
Farmers alleged that as they are more interested in watermelon cultivation, traders have seized the opportunity to sell the fertilisers at higher prices forming a syndicate.
In the case of seeds, 100g of Big Family costs Tk 3,000, Jaguar Tk 3,200, and Asian Seed Tk 3,100. Last year, the prices of the same seeds ranged between Tk 2,500-Tk 2,700.
Besides, they said, the price hike of diesel will increase the production costs of the fruit this time.
Barguna District (Bangladesh Fertilizer Association) Dealer Association President Md Ferdaus Zaman Shahin said fertilisers are being sold at government-fixed prices everywhere. “Some unscrupulous traders in rural areas may sell at high prices. If we get the proof of the allegation, we will inform our authorities.”
Deputy Director of Barguna DAE Abu Syed Md Jobaidul Alam said farmers are engaging themselves in cultivating watermelons more this year due to its bumper yield last year.
“Our officials are giving advice to farmers round the clock. We hope for another bumper yield this year as well,” he added.
