Farmers in 10 districts of Khulna division are expecting a bumper production of mustard in the current season.
The 10 districts are – Jessore, Narail, Jhenidah, Magura, Khustia, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat.
Encouraged by a good yield of the winter crop and its fair price during the last several years, hundreds of farmers of the region are cultivating the winter crop on a larger scale.
Abdul Mannan, Additional Director of Department of Agriculture Extension, said easy cultivation process and a lower production cost are also a reason behind popularity of mustard cultivation among the farmers.
The farmers in the districts have cultivated the crop on 67,440 hectares with a production target of 80,922 tonnes, the official said.
Most of the lands are covered with different varieties of seeds of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), including BARI Sharisha-9, Tori 7 and Sampad, said the official. A few local varieties have also been cultivated, the DAE sources said.
The department has also persuaded the farmers to cultivate high yielding varieties of mustard invented by BARI between the gaps of Aman and Boro crops to earn higher profit.
During this correspondent’s recent visit to different areas of Jessore and Narail districts, farmers said they are hopeful of achieving a bumper production of mustard and harvest will begin from the next month. -BSS, Jessore
