The sunlight on the hot afternoon is shining brightly on the watermelon fields. The watermelons are dazzling to the eyes. Bamboo trellises are spread across the fields.
Hanging on those platforms are watermelons of the "Astha and Suryadim" variety. Not one or two, but hundreds of watermelons. This is the view of Khaled Hasan Dipu's watermelon field in Kharua Borail village of Raona union in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh. He has surprised everyone by cultivating watermelons for the first time on his own land on the advice of the Agriculture Department.
Watermelons are not only beautiful to look at, but also help in nourishing the body. Almost everyone eats watermelons during the summer. In addition, watermelons act as an effective medicine for respiratory problems, help in keeping the kidneys healthy, and keep the heart healthy. Khaled Hasan Dipu has succeeded in cultivating this watermelon with many properties. Hanging on the platform are the charming watermelons he cultivated. These watermelons are sweet and delicious in taste.
When visiting Borail village, it is seen that some people are buying watermelons directly from the fields. A tree They are tearing watermelons from them. Watermelons are hanging on the farm's loft. Wherever the eye can see, only watermelons and watermelons are seen hanging among the green leaves.
There, we talked to watermelon farmer Khaled Hasan Dipu. He said that he collected seeds from Mymensingh. Then he made a bed there and spread mulching paper on top. He produced seedlings in between. Then, with the advice and overall cooperation of the Gafargaon Agriculture Department, he planted the seedlings. So far, he has spent at least three lakh taka on land preparation, fertilizer, seeds, loft, yarn and net. He hopes to produce at least 14 tons of watermelons. Which will be sold for at least eight lakh taka. He has done all the work with the advice of the Upazila Agriculture Office. This has saved his production costs a lot.
He said that he will be able to start selling watermelons in full swing within the next week. He also said that he will make a profit of at least five lakh taka after deducting the expenses. Using this experience, He has plans to cultivate watermelons on double the land in the future. Dipu said that after seeing him, many farmers are now expressing interest in cultivating watermelons. That is why farmers are coming to him every day for advice.
Upazila Agriculture Officer, Agriculturist Shakura Nammi said, Khaled Hasan Dipu first cultivated watermelons on his own initiative. The yield is also good. Seeing his interest, Dipu was given a watermelon exhibition on 3 bighas of land under the Greater Mymensingh Region Crop Intensification Project this year. He has cultivated watermelons on a terrace using mulching method on 120 percent of the land. This watermelon of the Astha and Suryadim varieties has received a huge response in Gafargaon Upazila. There has been a bumper yield of watermelons. Local farmers are showing great interest after seeing the good yield of watermelons.
They will cultivate such watermelons next year. Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers working at the field level in the upazila are working. How is watermelon cultivation more in the upazila
The Upazila Agriculture Office will always provide necessary guidance and overall support to the farmers in this regard.
