Don't believe rumours about adulteration in watermelons: Officials

THE department of horticulture and plantation crops has requested the public not to believe false rumours regarding watermelon adulteration and to continue consuming the fruit, said K Anbalagan, deputy director of horticulture, Villupuram district.

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In a statement, Anbalagan said, "In Villupuram district, watermelon is cultivated in an area of 9,000 acres. The major cultivating blocks are Marakanam, Vanur, Olakkur, Mugaiyur, Melmalaiyanur, Mailam and Vikkiravandi. Average yield of watermelon crop is around 8 to 10 tonnes per acre, resulting in a total production of 72,000 tonnes. Generally, watermelon is sown in the months of December, January, and February, and harvested and sold during the summer months of March, April, and May for public consumption."