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Jhalakathi has had a bumper crop of watermelons this year due to favorable weather conditions. Good yield and high prices have put a smile on the face of the farmer.
Farmers said that Jhalakathi watermelon is delicious to eat. Hence it has a nationwide reputation. This year the yield has been good as the weather has been favourable. And because the wholesalers buy watermelon directly from the farm, the farmer's profit is more.
Farmers complained at this time that watermelons were sold as pieces in the field but some unscrupulous traders took them and sold them as kilograms.
According to the sources of the District Agriculture Extension Directorate, 77 hectares of watermelons have been cultivated in the district this year. Out of this, 40 hectares in Rajapur upazila, 28 hectares in Nalchiti upazila, 5 hectares in Jhalkathi Sadar upazila and 4 hectares in Kanthalia upazila have been cultivated.
The biggest watermelon fields in the district are Manki Sundar in Mathbari union of Rajapur upazila and Palat village in Baria union. Manki Sundar Char has a watermelon farm on about 70 acres of land. Under the leadership of local UP member Kabir Hussain, the farmers got together and planted watermelons here.
As the field is on the banks of the Bishkhali river, the farmers have benefited from the irrigation. Wholesalers from different parts of the country are taking watermelons from here by sea. The sale of watermelon here has started three days ago. Each watermelon is being wholesaled for Tk 200-600 depending on the size.
Local UP member and watermelon farmer. Kabir Hossain said, we have been cultivating watermelons for the last five-six years. This time the yield is good. Hope to be able to benefit.
Watermelon farmer Mamun Mollah said that the season for selling watermelons has only started. Our watermelons here are in great demand as they are large in size and sweet. Our watermelons are going to different parts of the country including Barisal, Pirojpur to satisfy the local demand.
Munirul Islam, Deputy Director of Jhalkathi District Agriculture Extension Department, said that all kinds of suggestions have been given to watermelon farmers by the Agriculture Department. Besides this year the yield has been good due to good weather. Hopefully, farmers will benefit this year.
