SM Suman Rashid:
Amtali is spending busy time in watermelon farming in rural areas of upazila. Farmers are investing a lot of labor. The farmers expect that watermelon cultivation will double this year compared to last year.
It was learned during a visit to Amtali Upazila that watermelon farmers in Gulishakhali, Kukua, Haldia, Sadar Union, Chawra and Kukua Unions of this upazila have already cultivated the land and prepared to sow seeds. The price of seeds this year is lower than last year. Many farmers have lost interest in watermelon cultivation due to losses last year. A box (100 grams) of Big Family is being sold in the market for Tk 2,500, Jagua for Tk 2,200 and Asian seeds for Tk 1,900.
Visiting Dalachara Chhota Gulishakhali of Gulishakhali Union, Tepura of Haldia Union, and Amara Gachia villages of Kukuar, it was seen that farmers are working in the fields. They are making holes in the land to sow watermelon seeds. The women and children of the house are not sitting still for this work. They are also working alongside the men.
Lal Mia of Kukuar said, I have cultivated watermelon on 5 acres of land this year. Since the price of seeds is low, the cost will be less this year compared to last year.
According to the Amtali Agriculture Office, the target area for watermelon was 2,700 hectares last year. This year, the target has been set at 4,594 hectares. Farmers are cultivating watermelon on 4,594 hectares of land. This year, watermelon cultivation has doubled compared to last year. As the sandy-loam soil is suitable for watermelon cultivation, juicy watermelon cultivation is good in Amtali. Watermelon yields are good in Atharogachia, Kukua, Haldia and Chaora unions of Amtoli upazila. This year, farmers in those unions are not cultivating watermelons due to fear of losses.
Amtoli upazila senior agricultural officer Md. Isah said,
This year, the target area for watermelon cultivation in Amtoli upazila is 4,594 hectares. Last year, due to favorable weather conditions and good market prices, farmers benefited greatly from watermelon cultivation. Due to this, the interest in watermelon cultivation is increasing among farmers this year.
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