Low price and yield hit Lalmi melon farmers in Faridpur, Bangladesh

Lalmi variety of muskmelons, a fragrant and delicious fruit, is a popular choice for iftar during the month of Ramadan. It is known for its nutritional value and its ability to quench thirst. While the fruit can be cultivated almost all year round, farmers in Faridpur's Sadarpur upazila cultivate Lalmi melons targeting its high demand during Ramadan. However, farmers claim that this year untimely rains destroyed the seeds along with the fertilisers and pesticides in the fields, and they had to replant the crop. As a result, the yield has been lower than expected, and farmers are not getting a good price for their produce. Lalmi melon is extensively cultivated in Bhasanchar, Krishnapur and Charbishnupur unions of Sadarpur upazila every year. Farmers here start cultivating Lalmi 45 to 50 days before the beginning of Ramadan. According to the farmers, the production cost for Lalmi melons is about Tk20,000-30,000 per bigha. Farmers can get up to Tk1.5 lakh worth of yield if the ...