Nithin Pereira

Pics: Jeevan D'Costa

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Feb 15: In the heart of Hiriyadka, Udupi district, Suresh Nayak is making waves with his pioneering venture into the cultivation of yellow watermelons, offering a sweeter and juicier alternative to the traditional red variety. Nayak, who initially struggled to generate significant revenue from paddy farming since 2003, transitioned to cultivating yellow watermelons in 2017 after discovering the Taiwan Variety seed from a nursery in Tumakuru.

Contrary to initial scepticism about the seeds containing chemical contents, Nayak's organic and delectable yellow watermelons have gained popularity, especially with the rise of social media. Leveraging platforms like Facebook and Instagram, Nayak's farm garnered attention, leading to increased demand and expansion. With eight acres currently under cultivation and plans to extend to an additional five acres, Nayak's business has become a beacon of success in the agricultural community.

Embracing innovation, Nayak employs yellow sheets to protect his crops from insects, reducing maintenance costs compared to conventional watermelon farming.

However, due to their high juiciness, yellow watermelons have a shorter shelf life. Despite this, Nayak's dedication to quality and sustainability has attracted visitors from various parts of different states, eager to experience the unique flavour of his produce.

Furthermore, Nayak's success has inspired others in his town and neighbouring areas to venture into yellow watermelon farming, with Nayak generously sharing his knowledge and experience to support their endeavours. This effort has transformed Hiriyadka and surrounding towns into hubs of yellow watermelon cultivation, challenging the dominance of traditional red watermelons in the market.

Nayak has already started to sell his crop and is getting huge demand from all over the state. A lot of enthusiastic buyers are coming to his farm to buy the yellow watermelons.