This information was shared with a Turmush correspondent.
To date, Askar is harvesting between 20 to 30 tons of watermelons per hectare. He is currently in the harvesting stage, offering watermelons straight from the field. His main clients are local residents.
According to Askar, this year's harvest is particularly abundant.
“I have been growing watermelons for four years now. In the beginning, I made many mistakes, but over time I learned everything. I do not have a special education — everything I know, I learned through the internet. I started with the 'holler' variety. I handle all stages, starting from seedlings, myself. Watermelons require significant watering. I lay plastic under each row to retain moisture and heat, which keeps the watermelons less dirty. This season, the price is 20-25 soms per kilogram. Local residents can see that the product is natural and chemical-free. I add one cup of biohumus to each bush. Usually, we sow seeds right after winter and prepare the soil. After 90 days, the watermelons are ready for sale,” Abdysalamov said.
He also noted that previously, watermelons were not grown at all in the village of Buzhum or even throughout the entire Batken region. However, over the last 5-6 years, local residents have started to cultivate not only watermelons but also melons.
“Now I help my neighbors and fellow villagers by sharing my experience and teaching them the proper methods,” he added.
Askar continued that his parents were also farmers and grew various crops in Batken, achieving good yields. Since childhood, he worked alongside them and got used to the labor. In addition to watermelons, he is also involved in other areas of agriculture.
According to him, his income from watermelon sales amounts to up to half a million soms a year.
