Watermelon growers are going through much hardship as marketing and trading of the fruit being is being hampered by the non-stop blockade and general strikes.
Locals said production of watermelon was satisfactory as weather during its cultivation was suitable at the shoals of Barisal, Patuakhali and Bhola.
Generally, watermelon season begins in February and continues till May, during which time fruit markets across the country are flooded with it.
But this year was an exception for both growers and traders. People in many parts of the country are yet to see the fruit in the markets as transportation has become a challenge faced with the anti-government campaign, said Aminur Rahman Jhanda, vice-president of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
“Steady supply and business of this seasonal fruit is being hampered severely as political violence makes road transportation risky and costly,” he said.
Growers are compelled to stockpile their produce as transport owners are not interested in carrying watermelon risking arson and vandalism.
Like many parts of the country, farmers of Barisal have recently harvested potatoes and almost all the cold storages are full with potatoes. That has added to the woes of watermelon growers.
Abdul Aziz, a resident of Bhandaria, told the Dhaka Tribune that he was not interested to keep the fruits at the cold storage as it would increase costs.
“Actually I am in a dilemma whether I should keep watermelon in the cold storage. If I do not, it would rot within a few days. And if I do the costs would be so high that no one would buy it.”
Watermelon grower Nur Farazi of Gaguria under Mehendiganj of Barisal district, said growers had to depend on waterways for transportation which increased the price.
Farmers were deprived of fair prices and sellers incurred losses due to the extra transportation cost, said Md Shahzada, secretary of the Barisal Hatkhola Fruit Traders Association.
Watermelon prices have declined at the farms although it had shot up at the customer end, said Sobahan Hawladar, a fruit shop owner.
