Bumper melon output likely in northern region

BOGRA, Apr 24: Hundreds of melon (Bangi) cultivators of the Baind area are delighted over the present market prices of the juicy fruit. They are expecting a good profit this season.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has provided quality seeds and other necessary inputs to the growers to make the cultivation programme a success.
Farmers of Rajshahi division have brought around 800 hectares of land under the farming of BARI-1, BARI-2 and BARI-3 melon varieties and 500 hectares of land under indigenous variety this year.
DAE sources said a good number of farmers of eight districts - Bogra, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, Chapai Nawabganj, Pabna, Rajshahi and Sirajganj  are cultivating melon this season in stead of paddy.
In a recent visit, this correspondent found a small-sized melon is being sold at Tk 20 to Tk 25, a medium one at Tk 30 to Tk 40 and a large melon is being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 70 in the local kitchen markets.
"Timely plantation of seeds accompanied by the current favourable weather condition is being considered as a positive sign for attaining bumper production of the lucrative crop in all the districts."
Sub-assistant agriculture officer of DAE, Sirajganj, Faridur Rahman said, "We are expecting a bumper melon production this season. Harvest of the fruit has already been started and it will continue till the middle of Joishtho."
Farmer Ripon Kumar of Pachbibi upazila in Joypurhat said, "I have brought 0.23 acre of land under the cultivation of melon this year spending Tk 3,000. I have already made a profit of Tk 6,500 during the past few days. I will able to earn Tk 7500 more from the rest of my produce."
DAE officials urged the peasants to use high yielding seeds and advanced technology in farming of melon to get a satisfactory production.
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