Cultivation of Black Baby watermelons on a rooftop in Kalapara

Successful watermelon cultivation in a rooftop in Kalapara

Patuakhali: Farmer Md. Selim Gazi has succeeded in cultivating Black Baby watermelons on the roof of his house using mulching method in Kalapara, Patuakhali. Black watermelons are hanging in bunches on the roof of his house at an untimely time. Each watermelon has been hung with a net to maintain balance. Selim has achieved success in cultivating summer watermelons as a hobby. Seeing his success, others in the village are also becoming interested.

Selim Gazi said that he made fertilizer with soil and cow dung in sacks on the roof of his house and first planted watermelon seeds (seedlings) in polythene. Then he planted those watermelon seedlings in 50 thanas'. Several seedlings were destroyed in the rain. The seedlings of 25 thanas' were good. They produced 40 pieces of watermelon. Although the initial cost of making this method was a little high, the cost later was very low. In addition, there is no problem of cleaning because there are no weeds. There is also no problem of applying fertilizer in stages.

Farmer Selim Gazi also said that he became interested after watching the content on mulching watermelon cultivation on YouTube. Then he purchased seeds online. After the seedlings grew on the seeds, he made a platform with bamboo and twine. He lifted the seedlings to the platform with bamboo poles. Again, he learned about the application of fertilizers and medicines in watermelon cultivation through YouTube. He said that when this watermelon is finished, he will make 50 more thanas using geobags.

Local resident Idris Gazi said that Selim Gazi is an ideal farmer. He is a very hardworking person. He grows various crops including poison-free vegetables in the area and sells them in the market to meet his needs.

Kalapara Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Arafat Hossain said, it is better to cultivate watermelon using mulching method during the rainy season. Because if you put it in a sack, the sack rots in a few days.

The agriculture officer also said, watermelon is an excellent and satisfying fruit. On hot days, a lot of salt and water comes out of the body with sweat, which watermelon helps to fill. In addition, watermelon contains lycopene, which is an anti-oxidant. - Gofran Palash