Off-season or baby watermelon is another crop earning farmers 80,000 taka profit per bigha. Grown intensively on small plots, it has already changed the fortunes of many farmers in Chuadanga. Countless sweet, juicy watermelons hang from trellises more densely than cucumbers or gourds. For the past four years, this off-season watermelon has been in special demand among local farmers, and it can be harvested in two months in any season except winter.

Watermelon grower Mamun Ali said he used to grow cabbage in this season. A bigha of cabbage earned him 80,000 taka, but the same land under watermelon brings 120,000 to 130,000 taka.

The small watermelon, dark green outside, is called Black Baby. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) says its cultivation is expanding rapidly.

Chuadanga Sadar upazila agriculture officer Talha Jubair Masrur said this watermelon comes to market about a month after the usual watermelon season ends. Farmers mainly target Ramadan but grow it until winter. Last year about 800 bighas were planted, and this year farmers are growing it on 1,500 bighas.

Seasonal watermelon is sold by size, but this off-season fruit is sold by weight. As it hangs on the vine, its weight and price rise.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.