Watermelon farming improves livelihood of Gopalganj, Joypurhat farmers

GOPALGANJ, Apr 23: Watermelon cultivation has improved the socio-economic condition of the poor farmers in Kalabari union under Kotalipara upazila in the district.

Sources said watermelon farming is popular in the area due to high demand and lucrative market price.

According to the local agriculture office, a total of 620 hectares of land have been brought under watermelon cultivation in Kolabari union with the production target was 31,000 tonnes.

More than 3,000 families are directly involved with the farming of the juicy fruit this season, sources added.

Farmer Narayan Biswas of Buria village said he has cultivated watermelon on 50 acres of land spending Tk 2.20 million.

He said he expect to get about 1,000 tonnes of fruit which market price is about Tk 6.0 million. The grower said he will make a profit of Tk 3.8 million this season.

Rathindranath Biswas, upazila agriculture officer, Kotalipara, said watermelon is the most popular agri item in the area. The fruit cultivation got popularity in the district around 10 to 12 years ago. Every season, farmers of the union make a handsome profit from the cultivating of watermelon.

A total of 830 hectares of land have been brought under watermelon farming in Kotalipara upazila of them 620 hectaree in Kalabari union, the official added.

Ramendranath Halder, sub-assistant agriculture office of Kalabari Block said 98 per cent of the district's total watermelon production is being produced in Kalabari union. It is a profitable venture, he added.

Trader Bikash Halder of Kaliganj Bazar under Kotalipara upazila said watermelon is being supplied to different parts across the country from the area.

Meanwhile, our Joypurhat correspondent adds: Watermelon peasants of the district are happy over the good production and fair market price of their produce.

Sources said both indigenous and hybrid watermelon varieties are popular in the area.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), farmers of Akkelpur, Kalai, Pachbibi, Khetlal and Sadar upazilas have brought around six hectares of land under the cultivation of the juicy fruit.

A good number of farmers have already started harvesting the produce and making a handsome profit. Sources said production of the fruit is good in the district due to dry weather. Each maund of watermelon is being sold at Tk 800 to Tk 1000 in the local market.

"I have cultivated watermelon on 34 decimals of land this season spending Tk 15,780," said farmer Aminur Rahman of Pachbibi upazila. The grower said he has already sold some 20 maunds of the fruit at Tk 25,000 .

Additional Deputy Director of DAE Md Mohabbat Hossain said, "We encourage the farmers to expand the farming of watermelon as it a profitable venture."