The wooden ‘ghani’ (a traditional of oil extraction machine) traditionally used for making mustard oil in the country’s northern zone, including Nilphamari district, is now on the verge of extinction.

While the country was under Pakistan and after the Liberation War, these ‘ghanis’ were used extensively to produce mustard oil. The oil from these ‘ghanis’ is known to be very pure and good for health.

Following the introduction of iron ‘ghani’, however, this traditional milling machine lost its importance because it took much more time to process the oil seeds.

Soleman, 65, son of late Somaj Uddin from village Betgara under the Domar upazila of the district, told this correspondent: “I used to make pure mustard oil when the country was under Pakistan. My father used to make oil with the help of the wood-made ‘ghani’ and sell it in the local markets.”

Since a bullock was used to turn this wooden ‘ghani’, there was no need of electricity.

Ali Hossain, who is experienced in making oil wooden ‘ghanis’, told The Independent: “The oil made from the wood-made ‘ghani’ is more pure than oil made from iron-made machines. During the time of making oil, the quality of oilseeds is spoilt once they are crushed with iron. But that doesn’t happen in the case of the wooden ‘ghanis’.”

Meanwhile, some members of the civil society have urged the government to extend help to those who would like to make mustard oil with the help of these traditional wooden machines.