Khulna: Farmers in Bhulbaria village under Sharafpur union of Dumuria upazila in Khulna have started commercial cultivation of Sammam, also known as rock melon-a desert fruit gaining quick popularity in local markets. Grown on trellises above fish enclosures, the sweet, hydrating fruit, similar in taste to watermelon, has shown promising results in the region, with low production costs and high profitability encouraging more farmers to adopt it as an alternative crop.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, inspired by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), young entrepreneur Md. Shahin Uddin Gazi of Bhulbaria village successfully cultivated Sammam on two bighas of land. His success has inspired other farmers in Dumuria, Batiaghata, Dacope, and Paikgacha upazilas to follow suit. Speaking to BSS, Shahin shared his initial doubts about growing a desert fruit in the area but reported an unexpectedly high yield and good market prices, prompting plans to expand cultivation next year.
Shahin explained the cultivation process, noting that seeds are best sown between November and February. Pits 1.5 feet wide and 5-6 feet apart are dug for sowing, with 4-5 seeds per pit. Later, 2-3 seedlings are retained for growth. Like watermelon, Sammam is cultivated by sowing seeds in mid-June, and fruits are harvested within 70 to 80 days. Farmers stated that production costs per bigha are around Tk 20,000-25,000, while earnings can exceed Tk 1 lakh due to high market demand.
Another farmer, Md. Golam Rasul Sheikh, commented on the satisfactory returns despite initial higher costs. He emphasized that regular training and assistance from the agriculture office would encourage more farmers to adopt Sammam cultivation. Agriculturists described the fruit as resembling a small green pumpkin with rough skin and noted its various names worldwide, including rock melon, sweet melon, musk melon, honeydew, and Sammam in Saudi Arabia.
A visit to Shahin’s farm revealed sprawling vines on bamboo trellises, with round, netted fruits hanging healthily. Despite being new to Bangladesh, the fruit’s cultivation is expanding in Khulna and nearby areas. Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Insad Ibne Amin mentioned the advisory role they have played in Sammam cultivation and expressed plans to offer training and seed incentives in the future based on farmer demand.
Additional Director of DAE Khulna Region Md. Rafiqul Islam and Khulna District Deputy Director Md. Nazrul Islam recently visited Bhulbaria to observe crop diversification along fish enclosures. Rafiqul Islam remarked on the innovative use of trellises over fish enclosures for growing various crops, including offseason beans, sweet gourds, cucumbers, and watermelons, as a model to be expanded to other upazilas.
Deputy Director Md. Nazrul Islam shared that this year, around 17 hectares of land in Khulna have been brought under Sammam cultivation, of which 5 hectares have already been harvested. With an estimated yield of 24 metric tons per hectare, total production could reach 408 metric tons. He added that training, guidance, and improved market management would help Sammam emerge as a profitable agricultural sector in the coming years.
Agricultural experts believe that Khulna’s soil and climate are well-suited for Sammam cultivation. With technical support, group training, and field demonstrations from the local agriculture offices, farmers are increasingly turning to this new high-value crop. However, they emphasized the need for quality seeds, scientific crop management, and better marketing systems to ensure sustainable expansion. Experts opined that with government support and the application of modern agricultural technologies, rock melon cultivation has the potential to revolutionize farming in southern Bangladesh and open new avenues in the country’s agro-economy.