Mustard cultivation gains popularity in Khulna

Farmers in the coastal district of Khulna are showing more interest in cultivating high-yielding mustard as it fetches them good profits.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources, this year’s mustard cultivation target in the district was 970 hectares of land. However, farmers have already surpassed the target and planted the oil crop on 1,125 hectares of land.

Last year 910 tonnes of mustard was harvested from 805 hectares of land.

The sources said 11,400 farmers were provided incentives for the cultivation in the district. Each farmer received one kg of seeds and fertiliser per bigha of land.

Farmer Abdul Hamid Bhasani of Naihati village in Rupsha upazila said after harvesting Aman rice the fields were left fallow. “This year I cultivated mustard after receiving incentives from the agriculture office. I expect the yield will be good.”

Shamima Khatun of Deyara village in Koyra said, “I collected some seeds from another farmer and planted them on three decimals of land,” adding that she became interested in mustard cultivation after witnessing another farmer’s success.

Farmer Rafikul Islam of the same upazila said they are getting a good price for the crop since the cost of edible oils has increased significantly recently.

Batiaghata Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Rabiul Islam said mustard is cultivated in the fallow lands after Aman rice is harvested.

“Since Aman rice harvest has not concluded in some areas, more land is yet to be brought under mustard cultivation. We expect the cultivation to exceed the target with a large margin this year,” he said.

Rupsa Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Fariduzzaman said mustard was cultivated on 77 hectares of land last year and on 230 hectares of land this year.

He also said, “The government has taken initiatives to expand oilseed cultivation in the country. Farmers have been given incentives free of cost as part of that.” adding that getting a good yield and fair price for their harvest has made more farmers interested in mustard cultivation.

DAE Rupsha Deputy Director Md Hafizul Islam said the government has taken the initiative to increase oilseed production to lessen import dependency.

“That is why the government has given a three-year roadmap to increase oilseed cultivation by 40 per cent. This year alone, 30 per cent oil crop plantation is expected to increase,” he said adding that mustard cultivation has increased by 15 per cent from the target this year.

He further said that they have taken initiatives to increase sunflower cultivation in the upazila as well.