Watermelon yields set to hit 40 tons per hectare
Watermelon producers are experiencing an abundant harvest this year. The watermelons are sweet, juicy, and flavorful, driving high demand in markets, even though prices remain relatively high at the beginning of the season. The spring rains and recent warmer temperatures have contributed to a generous crop yield. To ensure they select the ripest fruits, some buyers choose to go directly to the fields.
For over 40 years, Zahar Mitul from the village of Congazcic has been growing watermelons. This season, he sowed five hectares of land near the Comrat-Cantemir route.
"It has a dark green skin, and the ripening period is 60 to 64 days. Now that the fruit is ripe, we will cut one open to see what it looks like inside. In terms of taste, it's one of the best varieties, with a sugar content exceeding 13 to 14 percent," said farmer Zahar Mitul.
A significant portion of the harvest reaches commercial networks across the country, but many buyers prefer to pick their watermelons directly from the field.
"The watermelon is very tasty; we bought one and are satisfied. We're from Cantemir, and we stop here to buy them every time we pass by. It's really delicious."
"On our way home from shopping in Comrat, we always stop here to buy watermelons. This isn't our first time doing so. They offer good, quality products, and it's very convenient that the sales point is located right next to the route."
Farmers are utilizing modern technologies to achieve early harvests. They use agril, a lightweight, thin plastic sheet, on which seedlings are planted as early as March. This material protects the plants from frost during colder periods, and the mild climate combined with proper care allows for early harvests, enabling them to reach the market two weeks before produce from other regions.
"The harvest this year is promising, obtained without irrigation by planting seedlings and using agril. However, the cost of this material alone amounts to 25,000 lei per hectare, which is why farmers say we cannot discuss earnings in the millions," noted one farmer.
The Gagauz Autonomous Region is the largest producer of watermelons and melons in the country. This year, the area cultivated with these crops is nearing 600 hectares.
"This year is excellent for melon crops due to favorable spring rainfall. Melon growers in southern Moldova are recognized for their abundant harvests, especially those from the village of Congazcic, where this crop constitutes one of the primary agricultural activities," stated Serghei Ibrishim, head of the General Directorate of Agriculture and Food for ATU Gagauzia.
The largest area dedicated to watermelon cultivation is in the village of Congazcic, in the Comrat district. This year, farmers estimate a production yield of 20 to 40 tons per hectare, with selling prices ranging from 6 to 15 lei per kilogram.
