Mustard cultivation exceeds target in Khulna

The cultivation target of mustard has been exceeded in Khulna as the crop is being cultivated on an additional 1,876 hectares of land in the current Robi season.

This year, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had set a farming target of 24,370 hectares of land for the crop in the region.

"Farmers have completed mustard cultivation on 26,246 hectares of land in Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Narail districts under the region," a DAE official said.

"The DAE has set a record target of producing 31,341 tonnes of mustard from 24,370 hectares of land for all five districts under the Khulna agriculture region during the current Rabi season. But, currently the production target has increased to 32,978 tonnes as farmers have produced 1,637 tonnes more mustard," the official added.

In FY23, farmers have brought 1,665 hectares of land under mustard cultivation in Khulna which exceeds the cultivation target of 970 hectares and the production is now 1,890 tonnes.

In Bagerhat, farmers have brought 1,336 hectares of land under mustard cultivation which exceeds the cultivation target of 1,200 hectares and the production is now 1,550 tonnes.

In Satkhira, farmers have brought 14,030 hectares of land under mustard cultivation which exceeds the cultivation target of 13,000 hectares, and the production is now 18,044 tonnes.

In Narail, farmers have brought 9,215 hectares of land under mustard cultivation which exceeds the cultivation target of 9,200 hectares, and the production is now 11,494 tonnes.

Mohan Kumar Ghosh, additional director of the DAE under the region, said, “Due to favorable weather conditions, the production of mustard is better and higher than last year and the target has been exceeded.

 "Moreover, we have given incentives and fertilizers properly this year. Proper field investigation and advice have also been given to the farmers in time. Besides, we have requested farmers not to keep any fallow land without cultivation.

Officials of the DAE in the Khulna region said the flowering of mustard plants have given an enthralling yellowish look to vast tracts of crop fields and nature as well amid splendid climatic conditions pleasing everyone.