Farmers are in trouble in India as watermelon yield drops due to heat wave

The heatwave and high temperatures have harmed watermelon growers, reducing crop yield and fruit weight. Farmers in Prayagraj, Kaushambi, and Fatehpur districts who grow the famous watermelon varieties Saraswati, Arohi, and Muskan are having difficulty selling their produce in other districts and states. According to farmers, the high temperatures have hampered production and reduced the weight of melons. The production of watermelon varieties has decreased by 35% to 40% on average due to the extreme heat, they added. "We have been facing difficult times for the past three years," said farmer Mohd Qayum. While the corona pandemic affected our sales in the previous two years, this year's crop was hit by a heatwave and high temperatures. "When the temperature rises above 46 degrees Celsius, it becomes difficult to save the crop." As a result, we are once again facing financial losses," explained Qayum. Normally, a single watermelon weighs around 3kg or more, but due to the intense ...