The consumers in Jhenaidah have been availing the juiciest and palatable seasonal fruit watermelon at almost doubled price than the previous season. It has been depriving most of the commoners and throwing the low paid people in troubles, said some of the consumers. Supply of the watermelon from other areas might hit the market within two to three weeks targeting the Ramadan, the vendors said.
Cloth vendor Aminur Rahman said he wanted to purchase a medium size watermelon within Tk 150. But he was astonished when the vendors had demanded Taka 250 for the smallest watermelon in the stock. Saloon worker Ranajit Das expressed the same. He said he along with his wife at the end bought a piece of smaller size watermelon with Tk 200 which was selling for Tk 120 last season.
Watermelon vendor Abdus Salam said usually they sell the fruits brought from Kuakata, Patuakhali, Rupdah. But now the fruits produced in Kuakata and Patuakahali was sold at almost double prices. Supply of the watermelon from remaining areas might hit the market within two to three weeks targeting the Ramadan, the vendor said.
The transport fair was also increased in recent time making the wholesale sellers compelled to increase the price. Limited and low income people have been returning with empty hands without buying the fruits, vendors in the area added.
Deputy Director (DD) of the department of agriculture extension in Jhenaidah Asgar Ali when contacted said that the watermelon produced in the district cannot meet up the demand of the people.
They have been encouraging farmers to produce variants of watermelon to meet the demand partially and to strengthen the socio-economic state of the farmers in the district. The farmers have been showing their interest in cultivation the “off-time” fruit, although the price was higher than the seasonal ones, DD added.
