A sea of lush green vines stretches across the fields of Jaintapur, each cradling vibrant watermelons that glisten under the late winter sun. This year, farmers in this upazila of Sylhet have enjoyed a bumper harvest, with their produce not only filling local markets but also reaching wholesale hubs in Dhaka, Cumilla, and Chattogram, reports UNB.
The Sarighat South Bazar area along the Sylhet-Tamabil highway has become a striking spectacle, where vendors line both sides of the road, their stalls piled high with the summer fruit. Trucks and covered vans arrive constantly, loading fresh watermelons for eager buyers nationwide. Meanwhile, tourists and picnickers, drawn by the sweet scent of freshly harvested melons, pause to pick up a few to enjoy.
Jaintapur’s agricultural landscape has transformed in recent years. Farmers who once left vast tracts of land uncultivated are now successfully growing watermelons on these very plots. What began as an experiment on 20 hectares of fallow land has expanded to an additional five hectares this season.
According to the Jaintapur office of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), watermelons have been cultivated on 130 hectares across six unions. The upazila set a production target of 3,770 metric tonnes, a goal that has nearly been met.
"This season, 650 farmers have cultivated watermelons, with 110 receiving demonstration plots supported by the government," a DAE official said. Through this initiative, farmers received high-quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides under an agricultural support programme.
For local farmers, this year’s watermelon harvest has been both encouraging and financially rewarding. Salman Ahmed, a resident of Ward No. 7 in Jaintapur Union, cultivated watermelons on 12 bighas of land in Chatlarpar. With an initial investment of around Tk 2 lakh, he has already earned Tk 4.8 lakh and expects to make an additional Tk 4 lakh by the end of the season.
"The return has been promising, but higher irrigation costs due to rising fuel prices and transportation difficulties caused by river erosion remain significant challenges," Salman noted.
Nur Uddin from Vitrikhel in Ward No. 8, who received a demonstration plot from the agriculture department, cultivated watermelons on 6.5 bighas. He has already earned Tk 1.5 lakh and hopes to double his income by season’s end.
Like Salman, he highlighted the need for better irrigation facilities. "Installing a deep tube well or providing subsidised irrigation pumps could greatly ease the burden on farmers like us," he said.
This season, Jaintapur farmers have focused on cultivating popular watermelon varieties such as Banglalink, Anarkali, and Glory. The highest production has been recorded in Nizpat and Jaintapur unions, where 40 and 55 hectares of land, respectively, have been dedicated to watermelon farming. Other unions, including Charikata, Darbast, Fatehpur, and Chiknagul, have also made significant contributions to the harvest.
Jaintapur Upazila Agriculture Officer Shamima Akhtar highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to support farmers. "Through demonstration plots, training programmes, and field inspections, we are helping farmers improve their yields. Under the Climate Agriculture and Water Management Project, they have received subsidised seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides," she said.
She expressed optimism about expanding watermelon cultivation to more fallow lands in the coming years, ensuring greater prosperity for local farmers.
Watermelon cultivation has become a vital source of income for farmers across Bangladesh. In 2021–2022, the country produced a record 25.47 lakh tonnes of watermelons, making it a major producer of the fruit. The top watermelon-producing districts include Patuakhali, Khulna, Bhola, Noakhali, and Barguna.
As demand continues to rise, experts believe Bangladesh has significant potential to export watermelons. With government support and improved agricultural practices, farmers like those in Jaintapur could not only meet domestic demand but also tap into international markets.
For now, as the watermelon season peaks, Jaintapur’s farmers savour the fruits of their labour—both literally and financially.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
