By S M Zahid Hossain

KHULNA, August 15, 2025 (BSS) - A 50-year old housewife Bipasha Gain, also a 
resident of Baroikathi village under Dumuria upazila in the district, has 
become self-reliant through farming watermelon in her fish enclosure.

She earned over Taka two lakh in a year by cultivating watermelons on just 33 
decimals of land.

While visiting her agro farm on Friday, it was found that huge watermelons 
were hanging on her bamboo fencing with a net on the fish enclosure.

Talking to BSS, Bipasha said, "I cultivated watermelon from Bangla month 
Jaishtha and to start harvest those 65 days later. I earned Taka over two 
lakh after selling watermelon at least Taka 50 per kilogram (Kg)."

"The total expenditure of the farming is only Taka 25-27 thousand for 
purchasing seeds, pesticides, labour wages and covering bamboo fencing with 
nets on the fish enclosure. I earn at least Taka 1.5 lakh through selling 
watermelons during the period. I also earn over Taka 50 thousand by selling 
various summer and winter vegetables on my land every year," she added.

She further said, "We have three bighas of land but this year, I can't 
cultivate watermelon in my two bighas of land due to heavy rainfall that 
submerged the lands, side by side white fishes, including shrimp, washed away 
this year."

"My three-member family went through hard times a few years back. We could 
not run the household on my small fertilizer and pesticide trader husband's 
income. Now my only son is reading in civil engineering at the Khulna 
Polytechnic Institute," she continued.

"Five years ago, I decided to cultivate vegetables. But I saw real success 
last year by farming watermelon in a bamboo matching system," she further 
said.

While talking to BSS, husband of Bipasha Sanjeeb Gain said, watermelon has 
huge demands in different districts, including Dhaka and elsewhere in the 
country.

"Not only is my family, many farmers of the coastal belt cultivating three 
crops on their lands. Villagers are now keen to cultivate watermelons, 
vegetables in their shrimp enclosures and earn huge profits," he said.

This year, farmers could not earn their dream profit, although many are 
cultivating watermelon on their 6-8 bighas of land, as heavy rain damaged 
crop lands.

Tariqul and Farhad, farmers of Shovna Union in Dumuria, said, "Compared to 
last year, we have harvested more this year. If market prices remain good, we 
expect to make a good profit."

Another farmer Russel Mia said, "Despite the heavy rain this year, now 
favorable weather is preventing any plant diseases, so yields were higher. We 
hope market prices will stay strong."

Like Bipasha, Tariqul, Farhad, and Russel Mia, many farmers, including women 
in the upazila, have become self-reliant through watermelon farming.

Currently, bamboo mat-based watermelon cultivation has begun a promising 
agricultural initiative on the shrimp fish enclosure.

Due to its low cost, high profitability, minimal labour requirements and ease 
of maintenance, farmers are increasingly adopting this farming method.

Despite the heavy rainfall, Dumuria upazila in Khulna has witnessed a bumper 
watermelon harvest this year, surpassing the cultivation target compared to 
last year.

The region's soil and climate are highly suitable for watermelon farming, and 
the absence of diseases and pest attacks has contributed to higher yields. 
Alongside favorable market prices, the bumper harvest has brought smiles to 
the faces of farmers like Bipasha Gain.

According to local farmers, watermelon cultivation has increased 
significantly this year compared to the previous years.

At present, vast farmlands in Dumuria are filled with nothing but 
watermelons. Some farmers are busy tending to their fields while others are 
engaged in harvesting.

Farmers have achieved record yields. The locally produced watermelons are not 
only meeting local demand but also being supplied to other districts.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 
12,250 hectares of land, about 6,000 hectares more than last year, were 
brought under watermelon cultivation this season in the district.

A total of 5.56 lakh metric tons of watermelons have been produced this year. 
Farmers have enjoyed higher yields and are hopeful that, after covering 
production costs, they will make a good profit.

Rima Mondal, sub-assistant Agriculture Officer of Shovna Union, said, "In 
this union, 250 hectares of land have been used for watermelon cultivation. 
We regularly provided advice to farmers, and they carefully tended their 
crops, which resulted in excellent yields. Watermelon farming is increasing 
every year here as it is more profitable."

Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md. Insad Ibne Amin said 
watermelon farming in Dumuria has expanded significantly compared to last 
year.

"The cultivation target has been exceeded. Since watermelon can yield high 
profits in a short time and with low costs, farmers are increasingly taking 
an interest in it. We are providing them with regular guidance and necessary 
support. We hope they will benefit financially," he added.

DAE officials expect that over 50 lakh tonnes of watermelon will be grown on 
17,050 hectares of land in the region with a market value of more than Taka 
1,200 crore.

Farmers in the saline-prone coastal region are very busy cultivating 
watermelons, a highly profitable and fortune-changer crop for the 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 
the Aman paddy season.

But things have changed in recent years as numerous farmers across the region 
have started cultivating watermelons in order to reap quick returns.

Talking to BSS, Md Rafiqul Islam, additional director of Khulna DAE, said, 
"Watermelon is a highly profitable crop. Last year's yield was excellent, so 
farmers have expanded cultivation this year."