Mustard farming target exceeds in Khulna

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Khulna region has set an all-time record target of producing 31,341 tonnes of mustard from 26,014 hectares of land for all five districts in Khulna agriculture region during the current Rabi season.

Earlier, farmers produced 26,416 tonnes of mustard by cultivating the crop on 21,047 hectares of land during the last 2021-2022 Rabi season.

“As of last December 11, farmers have brought 26,014 hectares of land under mustard cultivation which exceeds the cultivation target of 24,370 hectares,” said Md Faridul Hasan, Additional Director of DAE, Khulna region.

The target of producing mustard has been fixed aiming at attaining self-reliance on the production of edible oils from locally produced mustard and other oilseeds.

The government has distributed quality mustard seeds and fertilisers as special incentives among small and marginal farmers to inspire them in expanding the cultivation of mustard and producing more oil seeds.

As a result, many small and marginal farmers have cultivated mustard on the mainland and riverine char areas with huge enthusiasm after getting special incentives.

Being inspired by motivational activities being conducted by the DAE, farmers have by and large cultivated high-yielding varieties of mustard on more land across the region to get high yields.

The DAE, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) are extending assistance to farmers to make the mustard cultivation program successful.

After getting excellent production with remunerative prices last year, farmers are showing their interest in growing highly profitable crops this season.

Farmers Moinur Gazi, Arab Ali Gazi, Firoz Sheikh, Mokhlesur Rahman and Nur Mohammad of different upazilas in Khulna said on Sunday they are expecting a bumper production of mustard this season.