Unseasonal watermelon benefits Rajshahi farmers

Experimental out-of-season watermelon farming takes hold in Rajshahi after bringing success to Kushtia and Jashore farmers.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) expects to expand the production of the fruit in the division deeming it to be profitable for the farmers.

DAE Rajshahi Divisional Additional Director Nazrul Islam said the unseasonal watermelons have been cultivated in different areas of Rajshahi. Farmers have cultivated the watermelons on about three hectares of land in Natore and two hectares in Chapainawabganj.

Deputy Director of Natore DAE Md Abdul Wadud said seven exhibitions have been conducted through local farmers in seven upazilas of the district since this is the first time unseasonal watermelon has been cultivated in Natore.

The amount of watermelon cultivation in that season in the district is about 2.91 hectares. According to him, the farmers have benefited a lot from out-of-season watermelon cultivation.

In an on-spot visitation of Ilias Ali’s farm in Mirzapur Diyarpara village of Naldanga upazila, this correspondent saw varieties of ripe watermelons. From a distance, they look like pumpkins.

Ilias Ali said he has cultivated Black Candy, Yellow Master and Melon varieties of watermelon that weigh about 1-1.5 kg each.

“I have harvested about 300–350 watermelons from 25 decimal farmland and have about 100 more left. I have made a hefty profit from marketing the watermelons,” he said.

He added that in two months of watermelon cultivation, he spent about Tk 20,000 and made Tk 30,000 by selling the fruits. He expects to make Tk 10,000 more from selling the rest of the harvest.

A local resident, Ahad Ali, who came to buy watermelons from the farm, said these watermelons are tasty and he often buys them for his family. “It is amazing that agricultural technology has advanced so much that we can enjoy seasonal fruits all year round,” he said.

Local farmer Osman Ali said, “Elias has cultivated the watermelons organically which reduced his costs. I am also interested in watermelon cultivation in the next season.”

Deputy Director Natore DAE Md Abdul Wadud said they are expecting to expand watermelon cultivation by providing motivation and advice to the farmers.

“Watermelons are not only profitable for the farmers but also tasty, nutritious and beneficial for public health. We expect that more farmers of the district will be more interested in watermelon farming this year,” he said.