Farmers are cultivating watermelons on larger plots. Photo: BSS

By S M Zahid Hossain

KHULNA, March 22, 2025 (BSS) - Farmers in the saline-prone coastal region are very busy in cultivating watermelons, a highly profitable and fortune-changer crop for 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 area were engaged in shrimp farming as a result mostly all saline-prone lands in coastal region were only used for shrimp cultivation.

But things have changed in recent years as numerous farmers across the region have started cultivating watermelon 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, the BSS correspondent witnessed that some were preparing seedbeds, others were planting and many were engaged in irrigation. 

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

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

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

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 tons per hectare. The cost of watermelon cultivation per hectare is estimated to be between Tk 1.5 to 2 lakh."

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

Govinda Saha, a farmer of the Bazua Union, said that when the Aman paddy season would come to an end, most of the land used to remain 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 in planting seeds, watering seedlings and tending to other farm-related activities. She earns about Tk 600 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 expected 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 Tk 1,500 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 zone 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.