Although the government has not officially announced any relaxation in watermelon seed imports, farmers said rumours of a possible move have already affected prices
Watermelon growers in Gujarat and Rajasthan have urged the government not to come under pressure from traders and relax import restrictions, warning that overseas shipments could depress prices just as domestic supplies begin reaching the market.
Watermelon is largely cultivated as an intercrop in several states, including Rajasthan and Gujarat. However, the delayed onset of the monsoon has prompted farmers who traditionally grow guar (cluster bean), bajra (pearl millet) and moong (green gram) to consider watermelon as their main crop this season.
A farmer from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, said farmgate prices of watermelon seeds have fallen to about ₹170 a kg from ₹245 per kg in recent weeks amid reports that import restrictions could be relaxed.
“If imports are opened in mid-August, shipments could arrive between September and November, precisely when domestic produce starts reaching the market. This will put significant pressure on prices,” he said.
Stabilised Prices
Tulcharam Sinvar, state general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, Rajasthan, said farmers are actively expanding watermelon cultivation as watermelon seed prices have stabilised at around ₹200 a kg after having fallen to ₹70 a kg earlier. He attributed the recovery to stronger demand and government measures restricting cheap imports.
“Farmers are now taking up watermelon cultivation in a big way. We do not want imports to be opened when domestic production is about to enter the market,” Sinvar told businessline.
Farmer organisations are also working with the Agriculture University of Jodhpur to strengthen domestic seed production and improve availability. India requires around 60,000-70,000 tonnes of watermelon seeds annually and currently faces a deficit of 10-15 per cent, Sinvar said.
“The shortage is coming down every year with the active help of the university,” he said.
Affected Prices
Watermelon is generally sown between June and August, with the crop beginning to reach markets from early September. Farmers across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka have expanded acreage after the Centre assured them that agricultural commodities produced abundantly in India would not be exposed to foreign competition.
Although the government has not officially announced any relaxation in watermelon seed imports, farmers said rumours of a possible move have already affected prices.
Lal Khaji, a watermelon farmer from Rajasthan, said high labour costs have made it difficult for domestic growers to compete with cheaper imports.
Possible Crash
“Even if the work on the field does not last a full day, I have to pay around ₹750-800 a day for labour,” he said.
Sinvar said issuing a fresh import quota at this stage would leave farmers vulnerable to a sharp price crash when domestic supplies arrive from September.
He urged the Centre to formulate a long-term policy to promote domestic watermelon seed production and ensure price stability.
“The government should discontinue imports and build farmers’ trust in agricultural policy and national calls for crop diversification,” he said.
Published on August 9, 2026
