On the saline fringes of Bangladesh’s southwest coast, where seawater intrusion and freshwater scarcity have long dictated the fate of crops, a quiet agricultural revolution is ripening.

At Wise Ghat, watermelons arrive in vibrant heaps, unloaded by laborers for distribution across Dhaka. This seasonal trade supports many, with watermelons sourced from Rangabali and neighbouring areas, spreading tradition and livelihoods throughout the city.