Summer watermelon has been grown in Mirsharai, Chattogram, for the first time. Eight farmers in eight unions of the upazila grew it on a trial basis, and the vines have started bearing fruit. Many farmers are selling watermelon at Tk 60–80 a kg. Mulching and organic methods have been used, with support from the upazila agriculture department.

According to the upazila agriculture department, the trial was run through eight farmers. Fruit has already set on about one hectare, and wholesale prices are Tk 60–80 a kg. The fields, planted under an intensification programme, use organic and mulching methods, with pheromone traps and yellow cards against pests. Yellow King and Black Baby varieties are being grown now, and other varieties will be tried in future.

The watermelon has been grown in Zorarganj, Hinguli, Khaiyachhara and other unions. Iqbal Hossain, a farmer in Khaiyachhara union, said: "I grew Black Baby and Yellow King summer watermelon on 50 decimals this year as a hobby. Each melon now weighs one and a half to four kilograms, and wholesale prices are Tk 60–80 a kg. I made a good profit at low cost and effort. It is as juicy as it is sweet."

Abdullah Al Mamun of North Sonapahar village in Zorarganj union has grown summer watermelon on 20 decimals at a cost of about Tk 25,000. The field is fully organic and mulched, with Yellow King and Black Baby varieties, pheromone traps and yellow cards against insects, and mulching paper for the plants. The fruit is bagged and hung from a trellis overhead. The flesh of these varieties is red and very tasty.

"Besides training, the agriculture department gave us free seed, mulching paper, pheromone traps and organic fertiliser to grow watermelon as a high-value crop," he said. "With a good yield, I am hoping for a big profit. I will start selling in a week."

Besides Md Abdullah Al Mamun, eight farmers including Iqbal Hossain of Khaiyachhara and Md Alamgir of East Hinguli village have grown summer watermelon for the first time.

Upazila agriculture officer Pratap Chandra Roy said: "The soil here is suitable for watermelon. This year summer watermelon was grown on a trial basis on one hectare in Mirsharai for the first time, through eight farmers. Because summer watermelon is a high-value crop, farmers are showing interest."

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