Commercial cultivation of desert fruit 'Sammam' begins in Khulna

Farmers in Bhulbaria village under Sharafpur union of Dumuria upazila in Khulna have started commercial cultivation of Sammam, also known as rock melon, a desert fruit gaining quick popularity in local markets.

Grown on trellises above fish enclosures, the sweet, hydrating fruit, similar in taste to watermelon shown promising results in the region, with low production costs and high profitability encouraging more farmers to adopt it as an alternative crop.

Inspired by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), young entrepreneur Md. Shahin Uddin Gazi of Bhulbaria village successfully cultivated Sammam on two bighas of land. His success has inspired other farmers in Dumuria, Batiaghata, Dacope, and Paikgacha upazilas to follow suit.

Talking to BSS, Shahin said, "At first, I doubted whether a desert fruit could grow here. Later, I cultivated Sammam investing around Tk50000. The yield exceeded my expectations, and I am getting good market prices. Next year, I plan to expand cultivation."

He said seeds are best sown between November and February. Pits 1.5 feet wide and 5-6 feet apart are dug for sowing, with 4-5 seeds per pit. Later, 2-3 seedlings are retained for growth.
Like watermelon, Sammam is cultivated by sowing seeds in mid-June, and fruits are harvested within 70 to 80 days. Farmers said production costs per bigha are around Tk20,000-25,000, while earnings can exceed Tk1 lakh due to high market demand.

Another farmer, Md. Golam Rasul Sheikh said, "Although initial costs are slightly higher, the returns are very satisfactory. Regular training and assistance from the agriculture office would encourage many more farmers to adopt Sammam cultivation."

Agriculturists said the fruit resembles a small green pumpkin with rough skin and is known worldwide by various names-rock melon, sweet melon, musk melon, honeydew, and Sammam in Saudi Arabia.

A visit to Shahin's farm revealed sprawling vines on bamboo trellises, with round, netted fruits hanging healthily. Despite being new to Bangladesh, the fruit's cultivation is expanding in Khulna and nearby areas.

Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer, Md. Insad Ibne Amin said, "We have been advising farmers on Sammam cultivation. Although we couldn't provide support this season, training and seed incentives will be arranged in the future based on farmer demand."

Additional Director of DAE Khulna Region, Md. Rafiqul Islam and Khulna District Deputy Director Md. Nazrul Islam recently visited Bhulbaria to observe crop diversification along fish enclosures.

Rafiqul Islam said, "Farmers are growing offseason beans, sweet gourds, cucumbers, and watermelons using trellises over fish enclosures. Not a single inch of land is left unused. The Dumuria model will be expanded to other upazilas to enhance farmer income from offseason crops." 

"Rock melon is rich in water content, improves eyesight, aids digestion, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent cancer and heart disease. Its nutritional value and strong market demand make it a highly prospective crop," he added.

Deputy Director, Md. Nazrul Islam said, "This year, around 17 hectares of land in Khulna have been brought under Sammam cultivation, of which 5 hectares have already been harvested. With an estimated yield of 24 metric tons per hectare, total production could reach 408 metric tons."

He added that training, guidance, and improved market management would help Sammam emerge as a profitable agricultural sector in the coming years.

Agricultural experts believe that Khulna's soil and climate are well-suited for Sammam cultivation. With technical support, group training, and field demonstrations from the local agriculture offices, farmers are increasingly turning to this new high-value crop.

However, they emphasised the need for quality seeds, scientific crop management, and better marketing systems to ensure sustainable expansion.

Experts opined that with government support and the application of modern agricultural technologies, rock melon cultivation has the potential to revolutionise farming in southern Bangladesh and open new avenues in the country's agro-economy.