Bumper mustard yield likely in six districts

Farmers of six districts in the southern-western region of the country have been cultivating mustard instead of Boro paddy during the current season. They say the cultivation of mustard involves a lower cost of production, including seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, and day labourers. It helps them earn maximum profits.

The farmers of the six districts in Khulna division are expecting a bumper mustard yield in the current season. The districts are: Jashore, Jhenidah, Magura, Kushtia, Chuadanga, and Meherpur . The bumper production would be possible due to a favourable weather and other related factors.

Md Mohammad Ali, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jashore, said: “Farmers of this region have cultivated 46,841 hectares of land with a production target of 58,890 tonnes of mustard.”

Different banks have given them loans for the cultivation of mustard during the current Rabi season, he added.

According to the DAE, the targeted land for mustard cultivation is 12,060 hectares in Jashore, while it is 11,460 hectares in Jhenaidah, 13,300 hectares in Magura, 7,505 hectares in Kushtia, 4,015 hectares in Chuadanga, and 5,482 hectors in Meherpur.

While visiting different areas of Jashore district, this correspondent found that farmers were working with great enthusiasm.

A large number of them said they took to mustard cultivation for a number of reasons. First, mustard cultivation is easier than cultivation of wheat and peas.

Second, fog cannot damage mustard unlike other crops.

 Finally, prices of mustard and mustard oil are higher than any other oil seed and oil.

Ali Hossain, a farmer from Bijoynagar village under Sadar upazila, said: “After harvesting mustard, we’ll plant Boro paddy. Later, we will sow jute or plant IRRI paddy.

 We’ll get three crops in the same year.”

Abdur Rahim, a farmer from Kotchandpur village of Kotchandpur upazila in Jhenaidah district, said he had cultivated mustard on two bighas this year.

It involves less expense and saves time. He would be able to plant paddy after harvesting mustard, he added.

Uzzal Kumar Ghosh from Binodpur village under Magura district said: “Farmers have shown more interest in mustard farming due to increasing the price of edible oil.”

 

 

Bumper mustard yield likely in six districts

Farmers of six districts in the southern-western region of the country have been cultivating mustard instead of Boro paddy during the current season. They say the cultivation of mustard involves a lower cost of production, including seeds, irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, and day labourers. It helps them earn maximum profits. The farmers of the six districts in Khulna division are expecting a bumper mustard yield in the current season. The districts are: Jashore, Jhenidah, Magura, Kushtia, Chuadanga, and Meherpur . The bumper production would be possible due to a favourable weather and other related factors. Md Mohammad Ali, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Jashore, said: Farmers of this region have cultivated 46,841 hectares of land with a production target of 58,890 tonnes of mustard. Different banks have given them loans for the cultivation of mustard during the current Rabi season, he added. According to the DAE, the targeted land for mustard cultivation is 12,060 hectares in Jashore, while it is 11,460 hectares in Jhenaidah, 13,300 hectares in Magura, 7,505 hectares in Kushtia, 4,015 hectares in Chuadanga, and 5,482 hectors in Meherpur. While visiting different areas of Jashore district, this correspondent found that farmers were working with great enthusiasm. A large number of them said they took to mustard cultivation for a number of reasons. First, mustard cultivation is easier than cultivation of wheat and peas. Second, fog cannot damage mustard unlike other crops. Finally, prices of mustard and mustard oil are higher than any other oil seed and oil. Ali Hossain, a farmer from Bijoynagar village under Sadar upazila, said: After harvesting mustard, well plant Boro paddy. Later, we will sow jute or plant IRRI paddy. Well get three crops in the same year. Abdur Rahim, a farmer from Kotchandpur village of Kotchandpur upazila in Jhenaidah district, said he had cultivated mustard on two bighas this year. It involves less expense and saves time. He would be able to plant paddy after harvesting mustard, he added. Uzzal Kumar Ghosh from Binodpur village under Magura district said: Farmers have shown more interest in mustard farming due to increasing the price of edible oil.