Melon farming brings smile to farmers in Gopalganj

GOPALGANJ, May 11: At least 5,000 farmers of Kotalipara Upazila in the district have changed their fate by cultivating melon (bungai).

Official sources have said local farmers earn about Tk 15 crore every season by cultivating melon.

This year, a total of 440 hectares of land has been brought under melon cultivation with a production target of 11,000 tonnes in Kotalipara, sources at the Kotalipara Upazila Agriculture Office say.

Tapon Sarker, a melon farmer of Masspara village in Kotalipara Upazila, says he has cultivated melon on 1.50 acres of land. Its production is satisfactory.

"If weather remains unchanged, I will get 375 maunds of melon which market price is Tk 280,000."

"I've spent Tk 130,000 on melon farming. A maund of melon is being selling at Tk 745," Tapon added.

Ramendranath Halder, sub-assistant agriculture officer in Kotalipara, has told The FE that the farmers of this region have eliminated poverty by cultivating melon.

Nowadays, the maximum agricultural land of Kotalipara is brought under cultivation as waterlogging problems have been resolved.

"Now, local farmers have become self-reliant by cultivating melon to a great extent every year," he added.

Narayan Biswas, another farmer of village Buria, says melon is the main economic cash crop of farmers in this region. As many as 90 per cent farmers of Kotalipara depend on its cultivation.

"Growers earn huge money by selling melon as its harvest is going on in full swing," Narayan adds.

Kotalipara agriculture officer Dalon Roy told The FE that about 15 years ago, local farmers were involved in melon farming. They get huge profits from its cultivation.

Nearly 440 hectares of land has been brought under melon cultivation in Kotalipara this year with a production target of 11,000 tonnes which market price is Tk 22 crores.

"About 5,000 farmers, including women, are involved in melon farming in Kotalipara," the UAO added.

Anima Barai, a female farmer of village Masspara under the upazila, has said she has cultivated melon on 82 decimal of land this season at a cost of Tk 83,000.

"If the weather remains favourable, I will get a good profit of Tk 150,000 from the produce. But I did not get such a profit from another crops," Anima added.

Pangkaj Barai, a melon trader (locally called arotdar) at Kaliganj Bazar in Kotalipara, says a huge quantity of melon is being sold and supplies to district places, including Dhaka, Khulna, Faridpur, Barishal, Pirojpur, Madaripur and Bagerhat.

While talking to Sudha Ranjan Ranj, former chairman of Kalabari union of Kotalipara Upazila, he has told The FE that melon cultivation is the main economic base for farmers in this region.

Farmers are being highly benefitted from the produce every year, he added.

Abdul Kadir Sarder, deputy director, agriculture in Gopalganj, has told The FE a total of 464 hectares of land has been brought under melon cultivation in the district this year - 440 hectares in Kotalipara Upazila alone. Farmers are being highly benefitted from melon farming every year.

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