KHULNA, Mar 07: A total of 12,612 hectares of land has been brought under watermelon cultivation in four districts of Khulna division with an expectation of bumper production this season.
Farmers have cultivated watermelon on 12,225 hectares in Khulna district, 162 hectares in Bagerhat, 215 hectares in Satkhira and 10 hectares in Narail, according to a source at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).
A farmer, Akmal Khan, of Dacop Upazila in Khulna said he has cultivated watermelon on seven bighas of land and is expecting a bumper production this year.
The DAE source said Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) provided seeds of high yielding variety of watermelon for the farmers at a fair price.The DAE has also provided fertilisers and logistic supports to the farmers.
Besides, Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and other commercial banks disbursed loans among the farmers to bring a success in the watermelon cultivation.
During a visit to watermelon croplands, this correspondent found farmers were busy nursing the saplings.
Horipado of Bajua village under Chalna municipality has cultivated watermelon on fallow land for the first time this year. He told The FE that such a land would have been left unutilised in other years at such times.
"This is the first time that we are trying to make watermelon cultivation profitable. Most farmers are new watermelon growers," Horipado said.
Only a few people cultivated watermelon here last year, but benefited a lot. Seeing their success, over 100 farmers have taken watermelon schemes this year.
Shahana Khatun, a seasonal worker from Katianangla village of Batiaghata, told The FE that she was now busy cultivating seeds, watering seedlings and tending to other farm-related activities.
She earns about Tk 500 per day as a farmhand for watermelon cultivation. In other years, she would spend much of this time sitting idle.
When contacted, the agriculture officer in Dacop Upazilal has said the wheat production target is expected to exceed if the prevailing favourable weather continues.
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