This information was shared with a Turmush correspondent.
Currently, Askar harvests up to 30 tons per hectare, and the active fruit collection is underway. He sells watermelons directly from the field, with local residents being the main buyers.
According to Abdysalamov, this year has been particularly successful for the harvest.
“I have been growing watermelons for 4 years now. At first, I had to face mistakes, but over time I mastered the process. I have no special education, but I learned everything with the help of the internet. I started with the 'holler' variety and do everything myself, starting with seedlings. Watermelons require a lot of water, so I cover the rows with plastic, which retains moisture and heat, also helping to keep the fruits clean. This year, the price for watermelons is 20-25 soms per kilogram. Local residents can be assured that my product is natural, without chemical additives. I add a cup of biohumus to each bush. Usually, we sow the seeds right after winter, and after 90 days, the watermelons are ready for sale,” Askar said.
He noted that previously, no one in the village of Buzhum and in the Batken region as a whole was engaged in watermelon cultivation. However, over the past 5-6 years, local residents have started not only to grow them but also melons.
“Now I help my neighbors and fellow villagers by sharing my experience and advice on how to properly care for the plants,” he added.
Askar also spoke about his parents, who were farmers and grew various crops in Batken. Since childhood, he worked alongside them, which led to his love for agricultural labor. In addition to watermelons, he is also involved in other types of agriculture.
According to him, his income from watermelon sales reaches half a million soms a year.
