Watermelon season normally runs from March to April, but in July ripe watermelons are still hanging in the fields of Pakundia upazila in Kishoreganj. With modern technology, improved seed and advice from the agriculture department, farmers in Ghagra village of Chandipasha union have succeeded with off-season Black Queen watermelons.

About 30 farmers in Ghagra alone have grown the variety on more than five acres. Because it is out of season, it sells for about Tk 50 a kg, and most farmers expect profits several times their costs.

Mohammad Alauddin, 45, grew Black Queen on about 82 decimals this year at a total cost of about Tk 1.2 lakh for land preparation, seed, fertiliser, pesticide, irrigation and labour. Last year he tried it on just 17 to 18 decimals and sold more than Tk 90,000 worth.

"Many said growing watermelon in the rainy season would not pay, but I followed the rules and the yield has been very good," he said. He expects sales of about Tk 3.5 lakh and a profit of more than Tk 2 lakh. Because water collects in the fields during the rains, the crop is grown on trellises, and each watermelon is hung in a net so it does not fall and rot.

Farmer Mohammad Abdul Kaiyum switched about one bigha from rice this year, saying rice returns were low. Nazrul Islam plans to expand next year, and Ratan Mia plans to start after seeing his neighbours' success. Former ward member Farid Uddin said more farmers would take it up with continued government support.

Sub-assistant agriculture officer Md. Nazrul Islam said demonstration plots were set up under the Dhaka Region Agricultural Development Project, and farmers following technical advice were getting good yields.

Pakundia upazila agriculture officer Agriculturist Noor-e-Alam said about 30 bighas of off-season watermelon were grown in the upazila this season and five demonstration plots in Ghagra and Chandipasha were successful. Production costs Tk 30,000 to Tk 40,000 a bigha, while sales can exceed Tk 1 lakh, giving a net profit of Tk 60,000 to Tk 70,000 a bigha in only 60 to 65 days. He said mulching paper to prevent stem rot in the rainy season, improved seed, correct fertiliser use and regular care explain the good yields, and the department is also working to expand summer beans and other high-value crops.

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