Mustard Farming in Netrokona Sees 2.5-Fold Increase
Abdur Rahman Ishan, Staff Correspondent (Netrokona)
The fields of Netrokona are awash with the golden glow of mustard flowers. Over the last three years, mustard cultivation in the district’s 10 upazilas has surged by approximately 2.5 times. Encouraged by higher yields, farmers are utilizing the gap between Aman and Boro rice seasons to cultivate mustard.
According to data from the District Agricultural Extension Office, mustard has been cultivated on 13,050 hectares of land across the district this year. This includes 2,000 hectares in Netrokona Sadar, 2,685 hectares in Purbadhala, 600 hectares in Durgapur, 1,050 hectares in Kalmakanda, 532 hectares in Mohanganj, 675 hectares in Barhatta, 1,478 hectares in Kendua, 850 hectares in Atpara, 2,010 hectares in Madan, and 370 hectares in Khaliajuri.
Deputy Director of the Agricultural Extension Department, Mohammad Nuruzzaman, shared that while the department had set a target of 13,051 hectares for mustard cultivation, the final area fell slightly short at 13,050 hectares. This was due to delayed harvesting caused by three successive floods, which affected the land’s suitability for mustard cultivation.
In 2023, mustard farming spanned 10,880 hectares, producing 17,772 metric tons of mustard. The figures for 2022 were 7,450 hectares and 9,676 metric tons, while 2021 saw 5,250 hectares yield 6,826 metric tons. In 2020, mustard was grown on 5,192 hectares, producing 6,613 metric tons. The consistent increase in cultivation and production has led many farmers to turn to mustard as a profitable crop, reducing fallow land usage. The Agricultural Extension Office reports that nearly 100,000 farmers are now engaged in mustard cultivation alongside rice farming.
Anwar Hossain, a farmer from Rouha Union in Netrokona Sadar, noted, “After harvesting Aman rice, our land would remain idle for some time. Cultivating mustard not only utilizes the land effectively but also fulfills our need for pure, healthy cooking oil.”
Nazmul Kabir Sarkar, a botany teacher from the same area, added, “Even though I have a job, farming has always been in our family. Mustard is a crop that requires minimal care and cost. It’s easy to grow, and I often share this with others in meetings and workshops.”
Deputy Director Nuruzzaman attributed the increased interest in mustard farming to a three-year plan by the Ministry of Agriculture. “The initiative aimed to reduce dependency on imported edible oil by 40%. Farmers were offered incentives, training, and awareness programs to promote mustard farming, resulting in remarkable yields,” he explained.
