Local farmers have achieved success by untimely cultivating watermelons in saline areas during the rainy season in Baradal Union of Asashuni Upazila of Satkhira district. As common people are getting satisfied by getting untimely produced watermelon, farmers are also benefiting by getting higher price.
It can be seen on the spot, in different unions of Asashuni upazila due to salinity the farmers have been cultivating shrimp fish known as white gold in the saline water of the river for a long time. In Baradal union of Asashuni upazila in a cropland where only Aman paddy is cultivated. These lands are left uncultivated most of the year for grazing cattle.
Recently, a local non-governmental development organization under the 'Prosperity project' of 'Unnayan Prochesta' undertook various activities of planting vegetables and fruit trees to encourage farmers to use the fallen land for cultivation and produce multiple crops annually.
As part of this program farmer Jahangir Hossen, village of Fakrabad, union of Baradal of Asashuni upazila was enrolled as a member of this project. After that, Jahangir Hossen was trained in climate tolerant crop cultivation and income generating activities through this project. Farmer Jahangir Hossen was provided financial grant assistance from 'Prosperity project' for cultivating crops in mini pond system in saline areas of Baradal Union. He started year-round cultivation of different crops on the same land with the proper advice of the project support technical officers and with the help of agricultural technical services.
Jahangir Hossen said, he has cultivated Golden Crown, Big Bite, Robi and Black Giant varieties of watermelons in season using mulching paper on 6 bighas land leased during the monsoon season. He has spent about 30 thousand taka on watermelon cultivation. About two and a half months after planting the watermelon seeds, the watermelon produced on the watermelon plant is ready to be sold in the market.
Now more than 1,000 watermelons are hanging on his watermelon field. These watermelons are as beautiful to look at as they are very tasty to eat. Currently, watermelon is being sold at the rate of Tk 50 to 60 per kg in the local market. He hopes to be able to sell his watermelons produced this season for around 90 to 95 thousand taka.
Many farmers including Hetailbunia village of Bishnapada Mondal, Dilip Mondal and Shankar Mondal, Bamondanga of Mahfuzur Rahman and Goaldanga village of Kripa Mondal have started cultivation of different crops with the help of this project of the Baradal union. They have cultivated Misti Kumra, Lauw, Vendhi, Karolla embankment/aisle in the land And Aman paddy cultivated in plain land this year.
During the winter season, cultivate watermelons and vegetables in embankments/aisle of land and cultivate mustard and Boro paddy in plain lands. They have succeeded in producing crops with the help of 'Prosperity Project'. Farmers have already sold their producing crops in the local market.
Baradal Union UP Chairman Jagdish Chandra Sana said, he is cooperating in the implementation of the 'Prosperity Project' so that the people of the area can benefit and become prosperous. I am happy to see their success. Out-of-season watermelons are in high demand in the local market.
The local non-governmental development organization 'Unnayan Prochesta' of the Prosperity Project of Technical Officer Md Bashirul Islam said, "We are always working with Assistant Technical Officer Mofizul Islam and Branch Manager Biplab Debnath, farmers can benefit from cultivating off-season watermelons on cropland in a saline area. We are supporting the farmers. If necessary, we are arranging necessary advice and training for Upazila Agriculture Officer, Fisheries Officer and Animal Resources Officer.
Asashuni Upazila Agriculture Officer of agriculturist Rajibul Hasan said, technical assistance is being provided to the farmers by visiting these farm areas on the ground.
The current success of this farming method of the farmers in Baradal Union of Asashuni Upazila proves that 'it is possible to get more profit by producing different types of crops 12 months of the year without cultivating saltwater shrimps on cultivated land'. Farmers have seen this farming method and the area has received a great response. The farmers sought the intervention of the authorities concerned for financial and technical assistance from the government.
