The watermelon season is over, but in Galachipa, Patuakhali, the fruit is still hanging from trellises. Across several unions farmers are growing off-season watermelons on trellises on fish-farm embankments and higher land, alongside vegetables, drawn by stronger demand and better prices out of season, Desh Rupantor reports.
Palash Molla of Chhoto Char Kajal village has watermelons on trellises on about 48 decimals of land in Ward 6 of Char Biswas union, tending the field with his wife Tahmina Begum. He took up the crop on the advice of a local seed dealer. About 1,450 fruits are now on the vines; around 100 weigh close to 10kg and he expects the rest to reach 5 to 6kg. He has spent about Tk 40,000, and the fruit should be ready for market within days.
Local farmers say off-season watermelon is opening a new source of income; many have profited from it in recent years, which is why more are turning to trellis growing outside the usual season.
Md Rasel, a sub-assistant agriculture officer in Galachipa, said demand for watermelon is different at this time of year, so farmers get good prices, and the Department of Agricultural Extension is giving technical advice in the field.
Upazila agriculture officer Arju Akter said farmers are being given regular guidance on technology, supervision and crop care so that they can get the yields they hope for despite bad weather.
The report is by Desh Rupantor's Galachipa correspondent.
Source: Desh Rupantor
Comments
(0)