Patuakhali Correspondent:

Farmers in southern Bangladesh have dramatically expanded commercial watermelon cultivation over the past decade, with many now planting early to secure better prices and avoid stormy seasons. The area devoted to the crop in Patuakhali district has nearly doubled in four years.

Cultivation began after 2000 but only became commercially significant from 2012-14. Driven by reliable yields and profitability, the harvested area rose from 14,236 hectares in FY 2020-21 to 27,326 hectares in 2024-25. Agricultural officials expect both area and production to increase further in the current 2025-26 period.

Growers in coastal chars and sandy soils across six sub-districts are now busy planting seedlings and maintaining fields ahead of the main season. Many began operations in mid-December to harvest earlier.

“I started a little early to see a profit at the right time,” said Hanif Sharif, a farmer in Dumki upazila, who has expanded his plot from 10 acres to 12 acres this year. He reported receiving only 35 kg of fertiliser as state support, which he called “a small amount compared to the need,” and no government-supplied seeds.

Khokon Hawladar, a farmer with six years of experience, has increased his cultivation from 1.5 acres to 5.5 acres. “Watermelon cultivation is profitable if there is no natural disaster,” he said, adding that early planting brings better prices and protects crops from later rains. He claimed he has never received government assistance.

Official data show production peaked at over 1.06 million tonnes in FY 2022-23 before falling to 708,000 tonnes in 2023-24. Output partially recovered to 874,432 tonnes in FY 2024-25.

Agricultural officers stress the importance of rapid field drainage, regular maintenance, pest control, and adopting modern techniques for early cultivation.

“Farmers have started watermelon cultivation early this season as there is no natural disaster forecast,” said Shahadat Hossain, additional deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Patuakhali. He confirmed there is no fertiliser shortage and predicted good yields due to high-quality seeds.