Watermelon fortune changer crop for Khulna's coastal farmers

Farmers in the saline-prone coastal region are very busy cultivating watermelons, a highly profitable and fortune-changer crop for the country's southern people.

Just a decade ago, the people of Khulna had not even considered cultivating watermelon, where thousands of acres of land would remain uncultivated after Aman paddy season.

Priorly farmers in Khulna were engaged in shrimp farming as a result mostly all saline-prone lands in the coastal region were only used for shrimp cultivation.

But things have changed in recent years as numerous farmers across the region have started cultivating watermelons in order to reap quick returns.

Farmers in Khulna, particularly in the sandy coastal areas, were encouraged by last year's results and began to cultivate watermelon on larger plots of land as it brought more profit than other traditional crops, including paddy and sesame.

While visiting the saline-prone Koyra upazila on Friday (21 March), the BSS correspondent witnessed that some were preparing seedbeds, others were planting and many were engaged in irrigation.

Watermelon farmers are passing busy times. However, they are more encouraged this season as the government has taken various initiatives for farmers including seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides in reducing prices which contributed a lot towards raising watermelon cultivation and also provides employment opportunities for local labourers.

In the 2024-25 Robi crops season, the Department of Agriculture Expansion's (DAE) Khulna zone has set a target for watermelon cultivation at 13,432 hectares of land with a production target of 54.96 lakh metric tonnes.

Besides, a total of 18,055 hectares of land were cultivated, achieving 134.42%. The agriculture zone is comprised of Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Narail, according to Khulna DAE.

While talking to BSS, Harun-ur-Rashid, a farmer from Amadi Unin of Koyra upazila, said, "Hoping for a bumper harvest, I have taken loans and cultivated watermelons on 36 bighas of land this year. The plants have just started sprouting small leaves. If the weather remains favourable, I will achieve a good yield and make a profit."

Another farmer from the same area, Mofiz Gazi, said, "I cultivate watermelons every year, and this year, I have planted them on 10 bighas of land. The plants have just started sprouting."

Similarly, Abul Fazal Mia, a young farmer from Patnikhali Beel, shared his story, saying, "After completing my studies, I couldn't secure a government job. I like to take up farming as my earning source to run my family smoothly.

"This year, I have cultivated watermelons on 10 bighas of land. The seeds have been planted, but the seedlings have not yet emerged."

Sheikh Farid Hossain, assistant agricultural officer of Koyra upazila, said, "Farmers are cultivating various watermelon varieties, including Dragon, Dragon Super, Aastha, Aastha Plus, Pakija, Malik-1, Asia Super, Thai Red King, Big Super King, and Banglalink.

"If the weather remains favourable, the yield could range between 50 to 60 metric tonnes per hectare. The cost of watermelon cultivation per hectare is estimated to be between Tk1.5 lakh and Tk2 lakh."

While visiting Bazua, Laudob and Kailashganj Unions of Dakop upazila, the BSS correspondent found hundreds of farmers cultivated watermelons on fallow lands for the first time this year in the hope of profit.

Govinda Saha, a farmer of the Bazua Union, said that when the Aman paddy season comes to an end, most of the land remains uncultivated.

"This is the first time that we cultivated watermelon as it is a demanding cash crop, here most farmers are new watermelon growers," he said.

"There is so much interest in watermelon cultivation since it requires less investment and labour while remaining more profitable than other crops," he added.

Khodeza Khatun, a seasonal worker from the Deluti Union of Paikgachha, told the BSS that she is now busy planting seeds, watering seedlings and tending to other farm-related activities.

She earns about Tk600 per day as a farmhand for watermelon cultivation. 

According to the DAE, Khulna is the biggest watermelon producer among other districts of the country.

DAE officials expect that over 56 lakh tonnes of watermelon will be grown on 18,055 hectares of land in the region with a market value of more than Tk1,500 crore.

Many monoculture fields are being diversified for the first time in the districts and if the weather is favourable, production will be much better, the officials said.

Talking to BSS, Md Rafiqul Islam, additional director of Khulna DAE, said, "Watermelon is a highly profitable crop. Last year's yield was excellent so farmers have expanded cultivation this year."

"If the weather remains favourable, we expect another bumper harvest. Our assistant agricultural officers are working tirelessly to provide farmers with guidance and support, ensuring their success", he added.