MD NAZRUL ISLAM, Chattogram

The popularity of watermelon cultivation has been steadily on the rise in the Chattogram region.

Among the five districts in the Chattogram agricultural region, Noakhali recorded the highest watermelon cultivation this year, followed by Lakshmipur.

The absence of rain during the growing season has contributed to the increased yield, as experts note that heavy rainfall can damage the harvest.

Various watermelon varieties, including Victor Sugar, Ocean Sugar, Gori, Banglalink, Blackberry, and local types, have been cultivated in the region this year.

Statistical data from the Chattogram agricultural extension department over the past three years show that in 2023, watermelon was cultivated on 9,723 hectares of land in the five districts of the Chattogram agricultural region.

In 2024, the cultivated area dropped to 7,381 hectares but increased again to 7,814 hectares in 2025, marking a rise of 433 hectares compared to the previous year. The districts under the Chattogram agricultural region include Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur.

In Noakhali alone, watermelon was cultivated on 7,590 hectares in 2023. However, the cultivated area has been declining since then, dropping to 5,327 hectares in 2024 and 3,304 hectares in 2025.

In contrast, Lakshmipur ranked second in cultivation, with 993 hectares in 2023 and a slight decrease to 891 hectares in 2024. However, in 2025, the cultivated area surged to 2,936 hectares, ensuring a good harvest for farmers.

Feni has recorded the highest yield in the Chattogram agricultural region this year, producing 46 tonnes per hectare. Noakhali follows with 45 tonnes per hectare, while Chattogram recorded 43 tonnes, Cox’s Bazar 40 tonnes, and Lakshmipur 26 metric tonnes per hectare. The harvest in Lakshmipur is expected to continue for another month.

Md Nasir Uddin, additional director of the Chattogram Regional Agricultural Extension Department, said, “Since there has been no significant rain this year, farmers have achieved a good yield. In areas without irrigation facilities, light rain can be beneficial for watermelon production.”

He said Mirsharai in Chattogram, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur have seen good yields this year, with production ranging from 40 to 46 tonnes per hectare.

In Chattogram district, watermelon has been cultivated on 674 hectares, with Mirsharai upazila leading with 480 hectares. Farmers in the coastal areas of Ichakhali and Saherkhali in Mirsharai have engaged in large-scale watermelon farming.

Siddiq Ahmed, a watermelon farmer from Saherkhali in Mirsharai, said farmers from Subarnachar in Noakhali are leasing land in the area for commercial watermelon farming due to the favourable farming and marketing facilities.