Mustard production in four districts of the Khulna division is expected to reach 54,369 tonnes from a total of 38,251 hectares of land during the current Rabi season, according to targets set by the Department of Agricultural Extension for the Khulna agricultural region.
Mustard fields across the region have begun to take on a golden-yellow hue, creating a striking visual landscape. Various initiatives taken by the Department of Agricultural Extension during the Rabi season, along with favorable weather conditions, have supported healthy crop growth, indicating the possibility of a bumper harvest.
Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Md Rafikul Islam, said landless and marginal farmers in coastal areas have cultivated mustard on saline-prone land this season, and the crop is showing good growth across the entire region.
He said favorable weather, high-yielding varieties, modern technology, and government initiatives could enable production to exceed targets relative to the cultivated area this season.
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and other research and development organizations, including non-governmental organizations, have coordinated with relevant departments to take appropriate measures to achieve the set production targets during the season.
Farmer Mashiur Rahman, 35, from Mechoghona village in Dumuria upazila, cultivated mustard on five bighas of land this season. Last year, he harvested 19 maunds of mustard from four bighas.
He said mustard cultivation is gaining popularity across coastal and other regions due to its simple farming practices and lower production costs compared to other Rabi crops.
Another farmer, Shahid Hossain, 44, from Golna village, cultivated mustard on eight bighas this season. Last year, he harvested 23 maunds from five bighas.
Hasibur Rahman, 45, from Nandigram village in Durgapur upazila, said he cultivated mustard on two bighas last year and harvested six maunds per bigha. This season, he has expanded cultivation to three bighas and is expecting a good yield.
Another farmer from Baliyakhali village, Mahtab Uddin, 43, has been successfully cultivating this profitable crop for several years and has grown mustard on five bighas this year.
Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Insad Ibne Amin said the government has given the highest priority to the agriculture sector, and field-level officers and researchers are delivering services directly to farmers.
He said farmers are turning to high-yielding mustard cultivation to complement government initiatives aimed at ensuring desired production levels and food security.
He also noted that mustard is a water-efficient crop, and its expansion in coastal regions will play an important role in reducing pressure on groundwater resources.
Durga Mondol from Katianangla village in Batiaghata upazila cultivated mustard on one bigha of land. His production cost was Tk 2,000, and he expects to sell mustard worth around Tk 12,000 from that land.
Mustard farmer Durga Mondol said mustard grows well with proper fertilizer application, and farmers can expect yields of three to four maunds per bigha.
Farmers in the upazila said they are cultivating mustard after harvesting early Aman rice and later planting Boro rice on the same land, enabling them to produce three crops a year while maintaining soil fertility.
They said mustard cultivation involves comparatively low costs and higher profits, with farmers primarily aiming to meet household oil demand and sell the surplus.
To increase yields, beehives have been placed in mustard fields in rows, as bees enhance pollination while collecting nectar. This improves production and also provides additional income through honey sales.
A honey farmer said bees are beneficial rather than harmful, as they play a key role in pollination in mustard fields.
Farmers have cultivated high-yielding mustard varieties this year, which are expected to produce higher output from smaller areas of land.
Agriculture officials said all necessary support is being provided to farmers.
Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension for the Khulna region, Md Rafikul Islam, said authorities are optimistic about higher production this year and are advising farmers on best practices to achieve better yields.
