After having witnessed a huge rise in the production of sweet lime and mango last year, Bankura has overwhelmed agricultural experts as its record watermelon production is luring bulk fruit importers from Singapore this year.

The district, in its five blocks, has estimated an yield of 1180 MT of watermelon by mid-May this year, the senior officials with the district horticulture department said.

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Ranibandh, Sarenga, Simlapal and Raipur blocks in Khatra sub-division have taken the lead besides some enthusiastic participation of Bankura-I block, said Mr Subhashis Batabyal, vicechairman, State Agro Industries Corporation.

He said: “We have increased the area of operation to 83 hectares this year after having been inspired by the positive outcomes of last year.” Bankura blocks started experiments with watermelon production three years ago.

Watermelon cultivation requires a long growing season of more than 60 days and warm ground for seed to germinate and grow. It needs 22 degree Celsius atmospheric temperature at the plantation time followed by adequate watering.

Mr Batabyal said: “We have chosen farmers to cultivate alongside the Kansavati river stretches due to proximity to minor irrigation facilities.”

The district horticulture department that has extended technical support to the new generation cultivators, after the thriving production this year, has accommodated watermelon in its project assistance for 2018-19 fiscal.

Mr Moloy Maji, deputy director, district horticulture department, Bankura, said: “We have accommodated a plan to extend Rs 1600 to Rs 1700 subsidy per bigha to the watermelon farmers in the district.”

He added: “We are in talks with the export farms as we have received tip-offs from buyers in Singapore. We are trying to mediate between the buyers and the sellers.”

Mr Sanjoy Sengupta, district horticulture officer, however, seemed worried. He said: “Just a rough spell of hailstorm may ruin the fate of watermelon yield. We are worried if such a catastrophe takes a toll before the harvest season in the second week of May.”