Farmers are expecting an all-time record production of mustard after exceeding its fixed farming target in Rangpur agriculture region where its harvest will begin from February next.
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said the flowering mustard plants have given an enthralling yellowish look to vast tracts of crop fields and nature as well amid splendid climatic conditions pleasing everyone.
The DAE has fixed an all-time record target of producing 73,523 tonnes of mustard from 49,290 hectares of land for all five districts in Rangpur agriculture region during the current Rabi season.
Earlier, farmers produced 57,370 tonnes of mustard by cultivating the crop on 39,290 hectares of land during the last 2021-2022 Rabi season and 51,542 tonnes of the oilseeds from 38,433 hectares of land during the previous 2020-2021 Rabi seasons.
"Till December 11 last, farmers have brought 52,182 hectares of land under mustard farming exceeding the farming target by 2,892 hectares of land or 5.87 percent," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Mohammad Shah Alam.
The record target of producing mustard has been fixed aiming at attaining self-reliance on 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 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 the special incentives.
Being inspired by motivational activities being conducted by the DAE, farmers have by and large cultivated high yielding varieties of mustard like 'Tori 7', BARI-9, BARI-14, BARI-15 and BINA-4 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 lucrative prices between Taka 3,500 and Taka 4,200 per mound (every 40 kg) last year, farmers have been showing their keen interest in cultivating the highly profitable crop this season.
Talking to BSS, farmers Hamidur Rahman, Mohidul Islam, Nurun Nabi, Mokhlesur Rahman and Nur Mohammad of different upazilas in Rangpur said they are expecting a bumper production of mustard this season.
Farmer Ariful Haque Batul of village Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar said many farmers have sowed mustard seeds after harvesting short duration Aman rice on the same land to enhance crop intensity and reap more profits.
"We will cultivate Boro rice on the same land after harvesting mustard this season like in the previous years," Batul added.
Deputy Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md. Mahbubur Rahman said mustard farming has become popular both on the vast char areas and mainland in the last thirteen years.
"We are expecting a bumper production of mustard as its tender plants are growing superbly at this flowering stage amid favourable climatic conditions," Rahman added.
Source: BSS
