Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Mustard cultivation has increased almost three times in Ishwardi. In the current season, a record amount of land has been cultivated with improved varieties of mustard. Seeing the flowers of growing trees, the farmer dreams of more yield. Farmers are more interested in mustard cultivation due to the good price of mustard in the market. Farmers are being encouraged by government incentives through the Department of Agriculture to reduce import of edible oil. As a result, mustard has been cultivated in 1 thousand 775 hectares of land in the upazila this year. The target of production is 1 thousand 780 metric tons. Farmers are dreaming of a bumper crop of mustard as the weather is favourable.
According to the agriculture department, a bumper crop of mustard is likely this season due to favorable weather and cultivation. Mustard picking will start from the end of February. Cultivation increased due to lower costs and labor as well as higher profits. In the season of 2021-22, mustard was cultivated in 680 hectares of land, but this time, in the season of 2024-25, it has been cultivated in 1 thousand 775 hectares of land. Mustard cultivation is increasing steadily. Agriculture officials are of the opinion that the amount of land under mustard cultivation is increasing every year due to low cost of cultivation and high profit.
On the surface, it can be seen that mustard plantations are spread over vast fields in Muladuli, Lakshikunda, Sahapur, Salimpur Union and municipal areas of Ishwardi. Farmers cultivate six varieties of mustard here. High yielding mustard varieties are Bari-9, Bari-14, Bari-17, Bari-18, Bina-9 and Tori-7. Farmers are busy tending the fields.
Muladuli farmer Haider Pratunik said that the profit of cultivating mustard on three bigha land is more than other crops. I have planted Bari-14 variety of mustard, the plants are also doing very well. From the appearance of the field, it seems that there will be more production than last time.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Mita Sarkar said the Ministry of Agriculture has adopted a three-year action plan to reduce dependence on soybean oil. For that purpose emphasis has been placed on mustard cultivation. Incentives are provided to encourage farmers. Field level agriculture officers are advising the farmers. He also said that the soil of Ishwardi is very suitable for mustard cultivation. Plantation was less before. During the season 2021-22, mustard was cultivated on 680 hectares of land. This year, cultivation is on 1 thousand 775 hectares of land. The target of production is 1 thousand 780 metric tons. The weather is favorable. We are trying to double the cultivation of all kinds of crops.
