Harvest at the Edge: Post-Ramadan Watermelon Crops Face Kalboishakhi and High-Tide Risks

Harvest at the Edge: Post-Ramadan Watermelon Crops Face Kalboishakhi and High-Tide Risks

Dr. Md. Jafar Ullah
Former Dean & Professor
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

A Narrow Window Before Nature Strikes

In Bangladesh’s coastal mainland and char areas, watermelon farmers are now at a critical turning point. Their fields are filled with ripened fruits, and harvesting has just begun. But before they can complete the first few rounds of picking, a familiar seasonal threat is returning, Kalboishakhi storms combined with high tide. At this stage, even two to three days of heavy rain, coupled with poor drainage, can damage large portions of the crop, turning expected profit into sudden loss.

A Rising Star of Coastal Agriculture

Over the past decade, watermelon has emerged as one of the most promising crops in coastal agriculture. Districts such as Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, Khulna and parts of Noakhali have seen rapid expansion in cultivation. The crop is well suited to sandy soils and mildly saline conditions, and it offers farmers a rare opportunity to earn substantial income within a short period.

Rapid Growth in Production and Economic Importance

 

Watermelon has become more than just a seasonal crop,  it is a major horticultural product in Bangladesh. Watermelon has become more than just a seasonal crop,  it is a major horticultural product in Bangladesh. As per the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in the 2024–25 fiscal year, watermelon production surged to around 1.98 million metric tons from about 581,677 tons the previous year, as the area under cultivation expanded from roughly 64,718 acres to about 142,817 acres. This significant rise reflects growing adoption of watermelon farming across coastal and char regions and highlights its economic importance for rural households.

Profits Depend on Multiple Harvests

The financial logic is straightforward but delicate. Farmers typically invest Tk 25,000–30,000 per bigha, with expected returns exceeding Tk 1 lakh in a good season, according to estimates from the Department of Agricultural Extension, cited in media reports during the April–May 2024 harvest period in coastal districts. However, these returns depend not on a single harvest, but on multiple staggered pickings. Farmers do not harvest all fruits at once; instead, they collect them in phases to maximize size, quality and market price. The more harvest rounds they can complete, the higher their profit.

Why the Post-Ramadan Period Is Critical

 

This is why the current post-Ramadan period is so crucial. Many fruits are already mature, while others are nearing full size. Farmers deliberately leave a portion of the crop in the field to gain better prices in subsequent harvests. But this strategy comes with growing risk, as pre-monsoon weather becomes increasingly unstable.

When Storms and High Tide Combine

Kalboishakhi storms, which typically begin around this time, bring sudden bursts of heavy rainfall and strong winds. In coastal and char areas, these rains often coincide with high tide. When that happens, natural drainage slows down, and even moderate rainfall can lead to temporary waterlogging in low-lying fields. For watermelon at the maturity stage, this is a serious problem.

Mature Fruits Are Highly Vulnerable

Unlike earlier stages of growth, mature fruits are highly sensitive to excess moisture. If water stands in the field for even a couple of days, fruits can quickly develop rot, cracks and fungal infections. Once affected, they lose market value almost entirely. In such cases, farmers are left with no option but to discard the produce.

Early Signs of Damage This Season

Reports from the ongoing 2025–26 season suggest that these risks are already visible in some pockets of the coastal belt. In parts of Khulna, Patuakhali and Bhola, recent spells of untimely rainfall have slowed field drainage due to high-tide conditions. Farmers report that fruits just days away from harvest began to deteriorate rapidly, a pattern consistent with temporary waterlogging and crop submersion caused by heavy rainfall across coastal districts, including watermelon fields, as reported in July 2025. At the same time, high humidity after rainfall has increased pest activity, including moth larvae that damage fruits from the inside.

The Cost of Bad Timing

Such experiences are not new. Farmers in coastal districts often report that several consecutive days of rainfall during the final stage,  especially when it overlaps with high tide — can significantly reduce their marketable yield. The problem is not simply the weather, but the timing. When these events occur just before or during harvesting, losses become unavoidable.

Beyond Weather: Structural Constraints

There are also broader structural challenges. Farmers rely heavily on imported hybrid seeds, which increases production costs. Irrigation in coastal areas is often expensive due to limited freshwater sources. After harvest, the lack of cold storage and efficient transport systems leaves farmers with little flexibility. They are often forced to sell quickly, sometimes at unfavourable prices, especially if weather conditions threaten the remaining crop.

Expansion Continues Despite Growing Risks

Despite these difficulties, watermelon farming continues to expand, driven by strong market demand and farmer initiative. But repeated losses at the near-harvest stage are a growing concern. When crops are damaged just days before picking, farmers not only lose income but also face uncertainty about future cultivation.

Reducing Losses Through Better Management

Reducing this risk requires greater attention to the final stage of production. Improved drainage systems, raised-bed cultivation and better field management can help minimize waterlogging. More accurate and timely weather forecasts would allow farmers to adjust harvesting plans. At the same time, better post-harvest facilities and market support can give farmers the flexibility to harvest earlier when necessary.

Climate Challenges at Harvest Time

Watermelon farming in Bangladesh’s coastal and char areas has shown how agriculture can adapt to challenging environments. But as the harvest season overlaps with storm activity and tidal cycles, the risks become more pronounced.

Protecting this narrow harvest window is essential. For farmers, it is the difference between profit and loss. For the country, it is about sustaining a crop that has become an important source of income and supply. Without timely action, much of the season’s hard work may continue to be lost just days before it reaches the market.