Khagrachari representative: Watermelon farmers of Manikchari fear heavy rains in Khagrachari hill district. Watermelon farmers of Gorkhana, Chadurkhil and Yogyachhola areas of Manikchari upazila of Khagrachari have suffered due to continuous heavy rain since Wednesday. 10 farmers from three areas cultivated summer watermelon in one acre of land using mulching method this season. Already the watermelons are starting to yield every day. However, most of the watermelon farmers have suffered losses due to continuous rains.
Md. Didarul Alam, a young agricultural entrepreneur of Achadtali area of Yogyachhola union of the upazila, is seen on his own initiative to cultivate early radish on 20 percent of the land, summer watermelon on 20 percent of the land by mulching method and kankarol on 40 percent of the land. He was also doing maintenance by investing 40 thousand rupees in the hope of good yield.
As the lands are low, these crops have been washed away due to continuous rains and landslides. As a result, he has suffered losses. He said, eating radish and watermelon is causing more damage. Even draining water failed due to incessant rain. Within a few days, the yield of watermelons started coming. Plants are more likely to die due to waterlogging. Besides, several watermelon and seasonal vegetable farmers including Khorshed Alam and Shamsul Alam of the same Gorkhana area have also suffered losses.
However, after a long time such rain will be very beneficial for Aman farming, said Aman farmers expecting rain. Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officer Anjan Kumar Nath said ongoing rains are a boon for Aman farmers. However, if the rain continues, watermelon and radish farmers will face huge losses. They need quick drainage.
