Howlader was the first farmer in West Khajura village in Kalapara upazila to cultivate watermelon seven years back. Shahidul, Taiub Ali, Mannan and Kalam of the village followed him and are now better off. The village in Latacapli union is about seven kilometres from Kuakata sea beach.

Howlader was once a big landlord. The river swallowed ten bighas of his lands. But he has no qualms. Watermelon has brought fortune for him, he told this correspondent during a visit to the area recently. He earned around Tk two lakh every year, except the first two years.

Over the years, Howlader and some others in the village have developed a different view of agriculture. They now see it as a commercial venture, a departure from subsistence farming earlier.

Howlader said he spent about 60,000 to cultivate watermelon on two acres of land this year. He and others in the village hope to go for commercial cultivation of vegetables in future.

They said wholesalers from Dhaka bought their watermelon.

Howlader sold the first lot at Tk one lakh and 75 thousand and the second lot at Tka one lakh. The wholesalers took truckloads from fields, he said.

Big size watermelons were sold at Tk 4700 per hundred, medium size at Tk 4000 and small size at Tk 3000.

But they have problems also. Their main problem is irrigation, which is most essential for watermelon cultivation.

Local agriculture officials encouraged them to go for watermelon cultivation. They suggested use of pesticide against pest attack.

But they now realise that use of pesticide is harmful. They are now thinking of alternatives to save crops from pest attack. AED officials are advising them to use methods other than use of pesticides, Howlader said.

Abdul Hai, a buyer from Dhaka said watermelon of this area is more sweet than those grown in other areas of the country.

Local people said many farmers in neibouring villages like Khaichan Para. Karani Para, Musi Para and Mobi Para now feel encouraged to grow watermelon seeing the success of Karim Howlader.