Watermelon is widely cultivated in the vicinity of Madathukulam, Udumalpet, in Tiruppur district, using farm-well irrigation and drip irrigation methods. Due to the efficient use of water watermelon yields go up to 20 tonnes per acre.
Coimbatore: Watermelon is a favourite summer fruit of many during the hot summer season.
However, watermelon yields have come down this season due to heat conditions in Udumalpet and surrounding areas of Tirupur district .
Farmers are left worried as the procurement price has also fallen.
Watermelon is widely cultivated in the vicinity of Madathukulam, Udumalpet, in Tirupur district, using farm-well irrigation and drip irrigation methods.
Due to the efficient use of water watermelon yields go up to 20 tonnes per acre.
Even though during the Covid-19 lockdown, there was a lack of manpower to procure and the watermelons were left wasted in the fields and the farmers suffered losses.
In the current season, watermelon cultivation has started in some areas of Thanthoni, Tungavi and Udumalai regions and the harvest has begun.
"At present, they are procuring watermelons at Rs 12-14 per kg. This price is not affordable. The yield has dropped by up to 2 tonnes per acre this year due to factors including excessive heat.
With the cost of cultivation rising, losses can be avoided only if the prices go up†the farmers said.
However, watermelon yields have come down this season due to heat conditions in Udumalpet and surrounding areas of Tirupur district .
Farmers are left worried as the procurement price has also fallen.
Watermelon is widely cultivated in the vicinity of Madathukulam, Udumalpet, in Tirupur district, using farm-well irrigation and drip irrigation methods.
Due to the efficient use of water watermelon yields go up to 20 tonnes per acre.
Even though during the Covid-19 lockdown, there was a lack of manpower to procure and the watermelons were left wasted in the fields and the farmers suffered losses.
In the current season, watermelon cultivation has started in some areas of Thanthoni, Tungavi and Udumalai regions and the harvest has begun.
"At present, they are procuring watermelons at Rs 12-14 per kg. This price is not affordable. The yield has dropped by up to 2 tonnes per acre this year due to factors including excessive heat.
With the cost of cultivation rising, losses can be avoided only if the prices go up†the farmers said.