Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, Sept 10, 2026 (BSS) - A young agricultural entrepreneur has achieved success by cultivating a high-yielding, sweet and attractive yellow variety of watermelon during the off-season in Birganj upazila of the district.

The entrepreneur, Md Habibur Rahman, 30, of Bhabki village under Bhognagar union, cultivated the off-season watermelon on 22 decimals of land using the mulching method.

Talking to BSS during a recent visit to his watermelon field, Habibur said he received training from the local Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and cultivated the improved yellow watermelon variety for the first time this year.

He said Deputy Director of the Dinajpur Horticulture Centre Md Ezamul Haque helped him collect the seeds from Dhaka and provided technical advice on cultivating the fruit during the off-season.

“Following his advice and support, I cultivated yellow watermelon on 22 decimals of land using the mulching method. The unusual watermelon field has attracted people from different walks of life in the area,” Habibur said.

The initiative was taken under the “Sustainable Agricultural Development Project in Dinajpur” with overall support and guidance from the DAE.

Habibur, son of Md Hafizar Rahman of Bhabki village couldn’t complete his bachelor's degree due to financial constraints. He successfully cultivated cucumbers, tomatoes and other crops alongside watermelon on his own land and become agricultural entrepreneur.

Habibur said he spent around Taka 15,000 to Taka 20,000 to cultivate watermelon on 22 decimals of land. So far, he has sold watermelons worth around Taka 50,000 and expects to earn another Taka 50,000 from the fruits remaining in the field.

He hopes to make a substantial profit after deducting the production costs.

Local schoolteacher Md Ashraful Islam said Habibur's watermelons are gaining popularity in the market because of their large size, attractive yellow colour and exceptionally sweet taste.

“People and local farmers are coming from far and wide every day to see Habibur's eye-catching watermelon field. Many are also learning modern cultivation techniques from him,” he said.

Besides Habibur, seven other farmers in the area have cultivated the improved off-season yellow watermelon variety this year. They are planning to expand its cultivation on a larger scale in the coming years.

Recently, Birganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Md Shariful Islam and several officials of the agriculture department visited Habibur's watermelon field. The officials expressed satisfaction after observing the size and yield of the fruits.

Shariful Islam said the improved yellow watermelon variety is tasty and nutritious. The fruit is currently being sold at around Taka 80 per kilogram in the market.

“If farmers continue to receive such a good price, their interest in cultivating this variety of watermelon is likely to increase significantly in the future,” he said.

Deputy Director of the Dinajpur Horticulture Centre Md Ezamul Haque said he had arranged watermelon seeds for Habibur on an experimental basis and explained the techniques required for off-season cultivation.

“We have continued to provide him with necessary support so that he can achieve success in off-season watermelon cultivation. Habibur has succeeded through his hard work and dedication,” he said.

Deputy Director of the Dinajpur DAE Agriculturist Md Afzal Hossain said he had visited Habibur's field and was impressed by the quality of the watermelons.

“We are encouraging farmers and unemployed youths in other upazilas of the district to take up profitable off-season watermelon cultivation,” he said.