Many farmers in Mirsarai, Chattogram, have succeeded in growing off-season watermelon. With a high yield at low cost and good prices in the market, they are satisfied, earning two to three times their outlay in a short time from high-yielding watermelon. Several farmers in Nishchinta, Masjidia Bujannagar and Machhumertaluk in Khaiyachhara union have drawn attention with their crops.

Because a small investment brings a big profit, watermelon cultivation is growing year by year. This time the upazila Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) gave demonstration plots to eight farmers in Mirsarai under the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP), and two more farmers grew it on their own initiative. Watermelon has been grown on 300 decimals in the upazila this year.

With farmers succeeding in growing watermelon with mulching and trellis (macha) methods, others have become interested, opening new prospects for off-season watermelon. Many farmers dream of growing it on a larger scale. Because of the higher profit, the agriculture department is encouraging farmers to grow off-season watermelon and is providing mulching paper, fertiliser, seed and training.

Farmer Raju Chandra Das told Jago News: "For the first time I have grown six varieties of watermelon on 33 decimals. The yield with mulching has been very good. With the full support of the upazila agriculture office, I am hopeful of success. Sales have not started yet but will in a few days. I have spent Tk 1.2 lakh and will be able to sell watermelons worth Tk 3 lakh."

Farmer Mozammel Haque told Jago News: "I have been growing watermelon for two years. After succeeding the first time, this year again I have grown several varieties, including Blackberry, Banglalink and Suryadim, on 33 decimals. I got mulching paper, fertiliser, seed and other help from the agriculture office. The yield is good too. I spent Tk 85,000 and hope to sell watermelons worth Tk 1.5 to 2 lakh."

Mohammad Shahjahan, sub-assistant agriculture officer for the Khaiyachhara and Masjidia blocks in Mirsarai upazila, said: "Under the SACP, we set up eight demonstrations of off-season watermelon in the Khaiyachhara-Masjidia block in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The agriculture office provided fertiliser, seed, mulching paper and financial grants. I kept in regular touch with the growers, advised them and often visited the fields. Off-season watermelon has been grown in my block for three years, and because it gives a good profit in a short time, it is increasing day by day."

Mirsarai upazila agriculture officer Protap Chandra Roy told Jago News: "Off-season watermelon was first grown on 50 decimals in 2023. In just three years it has reached 300 decimals. Among the varieties grown in the upazila are Blackberry, Suryadim, Banglalink, Rosogolla, Leona, King Super, Big Bite, Jafran and Sweet Bite. The watermelons weigh from 3kg to 10kg and are ready for sale 70 to 75 days after sowing. They are selling at Tk 70 to 90 a kg depending on type."

He said: "Some watermelons are being sold, and the rest can be marketed within this month. Under the SACP, we are giving watermelon growers the maximum support. Because it is profitable, the number of off-season watermelon growers is gradually increasing, and I am hopeful it will grow further."

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