Farmers in Amtali upazila of Barguna district are facing financial losses despite a bumper watermelon harvest this year. The cultivated area exceeded the target of 4,249 hectares, reaching over 4,309 hectares, according to the local agriculture office. However, low market prices have left many growers disappointed, with watermelons weighing 5 to 7 kilograms selling for only 120 to 150 taka each. Only those who managed to bring their produce to market early have seen some profit.

Local farmers, including Mamun Molla of Patakata village, reported that despite excellent yields, they are unable to recover production and land lease costs due to weak demand from wholesalers. Agricultural officer Md. Russel stated that favorable weather conditions had raised expectations of earning up to 2.5 billion taka from watermelon cultivation in Amtali alone, but the lack of fair prices now threatens that projection.

Upazila Executive Officer Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury urged wholesalers from across the country to visit Amtali and purchase watermelons, emphasizing the region’s suitability for large-scale commercial cultivation and the administration’s continued support for local farmers.