Telkoi, Oct 31: Watermelon farming in the Telkoi region of Keonjhar district is facing significant setbacks due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. Farmers are reporting sharp declines in profits, with earnings from watermelon crops dropping drastically from Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 per acre this year. In comparison, last year, the same investment of around Rs 40,000 per acre yielded nearly Rs 2 lakh in sales. This year, however, the same investment has only resulted in a production value ranging from Rs1.2 lakh to Rs1.5 lakh, highlighting a substantial drop in output.
Watermelon farming in Telkoi is typically a summer-to-Kharif season activity. The produce from this region is widely distributed to states like West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand. Over the past few years, watermelon farming has expanded with trial cultivation during the winter months, especially from August to November.
This year, approximately 150 hectares in Telkoi have been dedicated to watermelon cultivation using the mulching technique, where plastic sheets are laid over the soil to conserve moisture and prevent weed growth. Villages such as Deuldiha, Golagadia, Kantalei, Kuladera, Khuntapada, Gondurijoda, Dhanurjayapur, and Salekena are witnessing a surge in watermelon farming.
Despite the technique's adoption, farmers have been forced to rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides as there is no government support. Local youth have expressed interest in watermelon farming, but the lack of incentives and support from the government has deterred many from pursuing it.
One of the key issues this year has been a significant reduction in the weight of watermelons. While watermelons used to weigh up to 7 kilograms, this year, the average weight has dropped to about 3 kilograms. This decrease in size has led to a sharp drop in profits, with watermelons now selling for lower prices in the market R s18 to Rs 23 per kilogram compared to previous years.
Farmers like Sudarshan Parida, Birendra Sahu, Kush Parida, Biswanath Sahu, Ramesh Sahu, and Dhaneswar Nayak have voiced their concerns over the reduced weight and lower prices, despite improvements in the quality of the fruit. They stress that the diminished weight is directly impacting their earnings.
Kurunarani Oram, the Assistant Horticulture Officer of Telkoi, explained that climate change has been a major factor in the changes seen in local farming practices over the past five years. She noted that both mango and watermelon crops have been severely affected by the unpredictable weather patterns, leading to reduced yields and smaller fruit sizes.
As the region’s farmers face growing challenges, the effects of climate change are becoming more apparent in their daily lives, leaving them to cope with lower yields, higher costs, and diminishing profits. Local authorities continue to encourage adaptation practices, but the lack of sufficient government support remains a critical concern for the future of watermelon farming in Telkoi.
