Watermelon yields more than any other fruit in Barishal division and holds an unrivalled lead in the region's fruit production. Across the division's six districts, watermelon is grown on 52,069 hectares, and this year's output stood at 19,43,075 tonnes, the highest of any fruit in the division.

According to the division-wise agricultural production data for the 2024-25 fiscal year, betel nut is second, with 1,53,412 tonnes produced on 23,385 hectares. Coconut is third, with 89,472 tonnes from 7,411 hectares, and banana fourth, with 83,914 tonnes from 4,322 hectares.

Mango production is also significant in Barishal: 52,730 tonnes were produced on 3,233 hectares, the division's fifth-largest fruit harvest.

Watermelon covered 1,180 hectares in Barishal district, producing 48,380 tonnes; 142 hectares in Pirojpur (4,765 tonnes); 77 hectares in Jhalakathi (612 tonnes); 27,336 hectares in Patuakhali (8,74,752 tonnes); 9,724 hectares in Barguna; and 13,610 hectares in Bhola (7,48,550 tonnes). Patuakhali and Bhola produced the most watermelon in the division.

Betel nut covered 2,178 hectares in Barishal district (10,890 tonnes), 4,669 hectares in Pirojpur (53,205 tonnes), 482 hectares in Jhalakathi (869 tonnes), 805 hectares in Patuakhali (5,635 tonnes), 1,751 hectares in Barguna (15,313 tonnes) and 13,500 hectares in Bhola (67,500 tonnes). Bhola and Pirojpur led in betel nut.

Coconut covered 441 hectares in Barishal district (5,112 tonnes), 2,417 hectares in Pirojpur (29,004 tonnes), 607 hectares in Jhalakathi (7,284 tonnes), 1,455 hectares in Patuakhali (17,460 tonnes), 641 hectares in Barguna (8,012 tonnes) and 1,850 hectares in Bhola (22,200 tonnes). Pirojpur and Bhola produced the most coconuts.

Banana covered 745 hectares in Barishal district (11,175 tonnes), 1,370 hectares in Pirojpur (26,262 tonnes), 705 hectares in Jhalakathi (12,387 tonnes), 540 hectares in Patuakhali (6,480 tonnes), 212 hectares in Barguna (5,110 tonnes) and 750 hectares in Bhola (22,500 tonnes). Pirojpur and Bhola led in banana.

Mango covered 399 hectares in Barishal district (4,381 tonnes), 583 hectares in Pirojpur (5,965 tonnes), 261 hectares in Jhalakathi (1,750 tonnes), 965 hectares in Patuakhali (24,829 tonnes), 200 hectares in Barguna (3,430 tonnes) and 825 hectares in Bhola (12,375 tonnes). Patuakhali and Bhola produced the most mangoes.

Nanna Gazi, a watermelon farmer from Chalitabunia village in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali, said he grew watermelon this season. Thanks to good weather this year, little of the crop was spoiled, so the yield was good, and he also got good prices.

Another farmer, Delwar Hossain of Galachipa upazila in Patuakhali, said that because there were hardly any floods or disasters this year, not much watermelon was lost, and production was higher than before.

Dr Mohammad Nazrul Islam Shikder, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for Barishal division, told Jagonews24 that, according to the data, the climate and soil of Barishal division are particularly suited to watermelon, betel nut and coconut, which is why these fruits are produced in far greater quantities than others. If planned marketing and processing facilities could be expanded, the sector could bring even greater economic benefit, he said.

He said watermelon needs plenty of sunshine and warm weather. In the ripening season, from February to April, the weather in the southern region is warm and sunny, which helps make the fruit sweet and juicy.

The soil of the riverside and coastal char areas is sandy loam, which drains easily and is excellent for root growth. Fresh silt deposited every monsoon keeps the land very fertile, so not much chemical fertiliser is needed. Favourable weather, fertile soil and abundant sunshine are the main reasons the southern region produces so much watermelon, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.