Bhuiyanpur: After achieving success in cultivating maize and almonds, a young farmer from Bhuiyanpur upazila in Tangail has created a new example by successfully cultivating watermelon in the char areas along the Jamuna River. Suman Mia, a 28-year-old degree student at Bhuiyanpur Government Ibrahim Khan College, has cultivated yellow watermelon on five bighas of char land in the Faldapara river erosion area of Gabsara, bringing fresh hope to local farmers who once considered these sandy lands suitable only for risky crops like tobacco.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Suman ventured into watermelon cultivation after learning techniques from YouTube. Fascinated by online videos, he decided to manage five bighas of unused land to plant Tripti, Madhumala, and Pakija varieties. Suman explained that the Tripti and Madhumala varieties are yellow on the outside, while Pakija is green-skinned but red inside. The fruits weigh around 5-7 kilograms each, and he invested nearly Taka 6 lakh, expecting to earn a profit of around Taka 5 lakh from this harvest.
Watermelon, being a winter crop, matures in three months and Suman mentioned that harvesting will begin within a week. The produce is poison-free and market-ready. His successful venture has attracted attention, with people from nearby villages visiting his fields, and numerous farmers expressing interest in adopting watermelon cultivation. At least 10 farmers who previously grew tobacco have shown willingness to switch to watermelon next year.
According to the District Agricultural Extension Department, farmers in Tangail are cultivating three varieties of watermelon on about four hectares of char land this year. Interest in off-season watermelon cultivation is rising due to favorable market prices and reduced production costs. Bhuiyanpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Mokhlesur Rahman noted that the Golden Crown variety is gaining popularity, being nutritious, delicious, and fetching good market prices.
The Agriculture Office is providing support to encourage farmers to expand cultivation of this profitable crop. Proper training and government incentives could significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods and help meet national demand. Local farmers believe Suman Mia’s success has opened a new door for sustainable agriculture in the Jamuna char regions, transforming risky lands into promising sources of income.