Bagerhat entrepreneur turns fallow saline land into off-season watermelon field

An entrepreneur in Bagerhat Sadar upazila has successfully cultivated off-season watermelons on 50 decimals of fallow, saline land, offering a potential alternative to shrimp farming in the coastal region.

Near Bottola Bazar in Bemarta union, hundreds of ripe watermelons now hang from bamboo frameworks amid lush green vines, just 60 days after planting.

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Local businessman and agricultural entrepreneur Zakir Hossain started farming watermelons beside his shrimp enclosure without any formal agricultural training. He learned modern cultivation techniques by watching YouTube tutorials.

To retain soil moisture and suppress weeds in the saline soil, Zakir used mulching paper for 1,200 seedlings. He cultivated high-yielding varieties including Smart Boy, Kania, and Surjodim.

“It started as a hobby,” Zakir said. “I used mulching paper and applied modern cultivation methods. Alhamdulillah, the yield has been very good.”

He also installed bamboo frameworks and specialised net bags to support and protect the hanging fruit as they matured.

The initiative has attracted neighbouring farmers and visitors who seemed interested in the technique.

Fish farmer Shishir Kumar Das, visiting from Kachua, said the project inspired local growers to consider alternatives to fish farming.

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Photo: Partha Chakrabortty /Star

“We are mainly fish farmers,” he said. “Seeing Zakir bhai's watermelon farm has inspired us. Many of us are now thinking of trying watermelon cultivation in the future.”

Md Motahar Hossain, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bagerhat, said the plot has around 400 to 450 planting pits.

“If each pit produces even one watermelon, around 500 fruits can be harvested,” he said. “Each watermelon weighs around two to two-and-a-half kgs and is being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kilogramme. Farmers have already expressed interest in expanding this cultivation in future.”

He said the DAE would continue supporting interested farmers through courtyard meetings, specialised training and direct technical assistance.

Agricultural officials said commercial off-season watermelon farming could help make better use of coastal fallow land while creating alternative livelihoods for communities affected by climate change.