Mustard cultivation doubled in Mymensingh

Mustard farming is increasing rapidly among the farmers in Mymensingh. The seeds of crop were cultivated on 5,246 hectares of land in the district last year while the farming has increased to 9,025 hectares this year, said Department of Agricultural Extension sources.

Sources said Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is working to get farmers interested in mustard cultivation to eliminate import dependency on soybeans. In continuation of their relentless effort, interest in mustard cultivation has increased among the farmers in Mymensingh.

Some 39,500 farmers in the district have been given one kg of mustard seeds as an incentive. Among these are Bari-14, Bina-4, 15 and 17 varieties of mustard.

Abdul Jabbar, a farmer of Nandigram in Douhakhola union of Gouripur upazila of the district, said he received one kg of mustard seeds from the agriculture office.

“The agriculture officers regularly check-up and provide advice as needed. Last year I cultivated mustard on 40 decimals of the land but this year expanded to 180 decimals of land as the yield and market price are good,” he said.

Farmer Mst Parvin Moni of Tatkura village in the same union said, “I have cultivated mustard on 30 decimal lands this year. However, this is the first time I have planted the Bari-14 variety.”

She added that agriculture officers regularly visit to monitor the mustard fields and give necessary advice.

Md Jahangir Hasan Ratan, a farmer of Nayagaon village in Ramgopalpur union of the same upazila, said this year he cultivated mustard on 80 decimals of land after receiving seeds and fertiliser incentives for 60 decimals of land from the agricultural department.

Shamsul Haque, a farmer of Bororchar village of Sadar upazila of the district, said he cultivated the Bari-14 variety of mustard on 30 decimals of land this year as he made a hefty profit from the crop last year.

“Mustard is planted immediately after harvesting the Aman paddy in early November. The fields are currently full of blooming mustard plants,” he said, adding that the harvest will begin in late January or early February.

He further added that after the mustard harvest, he will plant Boro paddy. Shamsul is expecting a hefty profit this year too as the yield is good.

Mymensingh DAE Deputy Director Md Matiuzzaman said the government has provided mustard farmers with incentives with the aim of reducing import dependence on edible oil.

“The government has adopted a plan for reducing oil import dependence by 40 per cent by the next three years. For that purpose, we have been discussing mustard cultivation expansion with the farmers since the beginning of this fiscal year and encouraging them to cultivate the crop,” he said, adding that the yield is good this year.

He further added that they are also encouraging farmers to cultivate on fallow and uncultivated lands to expand farmland areas and enrich the country’s agriculture sector.

According to official sources, 39,500 farmers in the district have been given one kg of mustard seeds as an incentive. Farmers have cultivated Bari-14, Bina-4, 15 and 17 varieties of mustard.