Mustard farming expanding in 10 south-western districts
Blooming mustard fields spreading across vast areas of land beside Narail-Jessore road offer an eye-soothing sight with the area sees large-scale cultivation of the winter crop. Photo: STAR
Mustard cultivation is expanding in 10 south-western districts. At least 72,206 tonnes of edible oil seeds is expected to be produced through cultivation of 65,642 hectares of land this year. Last year 60,689 hectares of land was brought under cultivation, according to the sources at the department of agriculture extension (DAE), Khulna Division. This year the farmers cultivated mustard on 15,959 hectares in Jessore, 8,382 hectares in Jhenidah, 15,256 hectares in Magura, 5,367 hectares in Narail, 324 hectares in Khulna, 864 hectares in Bagerhat, 6,408 hectares in Satkhira, 3,898 hectares in Kushtia, 4,786 hectares in Chuadanga and 4,398 hectares in Meherpur. “Cultivation of mustard is easer and less costly compared to other crops and we get good profit from it”, said Akbor Ali, a farmer, who has brought his 65 decimals of land under mustard farming this season, at Solemanpur village under Kotchandpur upazila of the district. In 70 to 90 days the crop is ready for harvest. The period is in between two crops -- Boro and Amon. So there is no major impact on our main crops, Akbor Ali added. Another farmer, Anarul Islam of Shamai village under Sadar upazila of Meherpur district claimed that mustard farming needs no fertiliser or insecticide. The crop is cultivated on the same plot of lentil and sugarcane, he said. Mahfuzur Rahman, a seed dealer in Sadar upazila, said mustard seeds were available in time this season which encouraged the farmers to cultivate mustard on more lands. Mahbub Ur Rahman, deputy director of the department of agriculture extension in Jhenidah, said they (DAE) have been advising the farmers to bring more and more land under mustard farming. The Tori-7 variety of the mustard grows better in the gap period when the lands lie fallow. This variety can be harvested in 60 to 65 days, he added. Additional director of DAE, Khulna division, Bazlul Haque Mia said the massive mustard farming will help to reduce the country's dependence of the imported edible oil.
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