In Gopalganj, Gherer Ail is a profitable farmer in watermelon cultivation

In Gopalganj Sadar Upazila, the cultivation of watermelon is increasing in the alleys of Gher. Farmers have already started reaping financial benefits by cultivating the juicy fruit in this manner. As a result, they are leaning towards watermelon cultivation in the vicinity of Sadar Upazila.

According to the sources of Agriculture Extension Directorate, unseasonal watermelon cultivation started 5 years ago in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila. At that time, the farmers cultivated watermelon on only 20 percent of the land. A yield of 180 kg per cent was obtained. The farmer has spent two thousand rupees on watermelon cultivation on one percent of the land. Watermelon was sold at 7 thousand 200 taka. Excluding the cost, the farmer has earned Tk 5,200 per cent in watermelon cultivation. Since then watermelon cultivation has started to increase every year in Ghere Aisle.

Watermelon farmer Bidhan Biswas of Raghunathpur village of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila said, 'I have 70 percent enclosure. 20 percent of the enclosure has a bank or aisle. Five years ago Gherpar Anabadi was lying. Then, with the advice of the Agriculture Department and the help of agricultural materials, we cultivated watermelons in the enclosure. Cultivation still continues. This year too, the yield of watermelon in Gherpara has been good. The weight of each watermelon has increased from one and a half kg to two and a half kg. I hope to be able to profit by selling watermelons at a good price. I have been able to earn good money by cultivating watermelons in the past years as well.'

Rajiv Bala, a farmer of the same village, said, 'My neighbor Bidhan Biswas has been cultivating watermelons for five years. With the support, training and advice of the Agriculture Department, I also cultivated watermelons on 25 percent of the uncultivated land in the surrounding area. Neighbor Nirmalendu Biswas provided all kinds of help. I have a bumper crop of watermelons in my yard too. I hope to get a yield of 4 and a half tons. I will get 2 lakh 2 thousand 500 taka by selling watermelon. I expect to be able to earn at least one and a half lakh taka from watermelon if we exclude the cost of 50 thousand taka.

Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer of Raghunathpur Block of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Pradeep Halder said, 'A few years ago a farmer started cultivating unseasonal watermelon in the enclosure. Under his watch, at least 30 farmers have grown Black Sweet, Bengal Tiger and Sonia varieties of watermelons. Watermelon yield has been good in their land. Watermelon prices are good in the market. So the farmer is hoping to gain financially by selling watermelon.'

Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Mafroza Akhtar said, “This year, unseasonal watermelons have been cultivated on 5 acres of land in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila. Expected yield of 18 metric tons of watermelon per acre. Accordingly, 90 metric tons of watermelon will be produced in 5 acres. Farmers are selling watermelons at the rate of Tk 45 per kg from the farm. According to that, the market price of this watermelon is 40 lakh 50 thousand taka. Unseasoned watermelon is very juicy. The inner part is quite red. There is a huge demand for this watermelon in the market.'

He further said, 'We want to double the income of farmers. So we are growing high value crops with farmers. Farmers are getting more profit by selling this crop and food production is increasing in the country.

Deputy Director of Gopalganj Agricultural Extension Department. Quader Sardar said, “Earlier, the farmer used to grow only vegetables in the enclosure. Vegetables are sold at an average rate of Tk 20 per kg. On the other hand, by growing watermelons, farmers can sell them at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kg. We are cultivating high-value crops with farmers. As a result they are profiting. Prosperity is coming to agriculture.'