RAJSHAHI, Sept. 26 — Farmers in Tanore and Mohanpur in Rajshahi’s Barind tract are finding success growing watermelons on trellises alongside rice, potatoes and mangoes. Amid irrigation shortages and other challenges, good yields and market prices from this new crop outside conventional farming are increasing farmers’ interest.
Shafiul Islam, a farmer from Bakshimail village in Mohanpur upazila, has experimentally grown watermelons on trellises on 16 decimals of land. He took the initiative with advice and technical support from Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam.
Shafiul said he spent about 30 thousand taka on watermelon cultivation. He has already tied nets around about 700 watermelons. Each weighs an average of two kilograms. Watermelon is currently selling in the market for 80-100 taka per kilogram. He hopes to earn 50-60 thousand taka in profit.
In Tanore upazila, farmers Khairul and Zakir of Parisho village in Kamargaon union have grown off-season watermelons on trellises for the first time on 25 decimals of land. On the advice of the upazila agriculture office, they sowed seeds of different varieties in the last week of July. Rangila, Amber Sweet, yellow Madhumala and striped varieties of watermelon are now hanging from the trellises.
Farmer Zakir said demand for watermelon outside the main season is good, so prices are also favorable in the market. Traders from local and other areas have already bought watermelons, he said, adding that the experimental cultivation is proving profitable.
Mohanpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamrul Islam said watermelon yields on trellises in the Barind tract are better than expected. As a result, farmers are showing growing interest. He said officials are regularly visiting fields and providing advice and technical support. About 50 metric tons of yield per hectare is expected, he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report