Farmers expect bumper mustard production in Khulna

Farmers expect bumper mustard production in Khulna

KHULNA, Dec 25, 2023 (BSS) – Farmers are expecting a bumper production of  mustard as its improved varieties were cultivated on 35,825 hectares of land  in Khulna agricultural region.

Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in the region  said this season 35,825 hectares of land have been brought under mustard  cultivation against the farming target of 39,170 hectares of land while the  production target is 50,590 tonnes. 

In the current Robi season, the DAE has increased both the targets– farming  and production. It has set an all-time record target of producing 50,590  tonnes of mustard from 39,170 hectares of land in the region. 

Last year, a total of 33,335 tonnes of mustard seeds were produced against  the target of producing 31,341 tonnes in the region whereas 26,246 hectares  of land were cultivated against the setting target of 26,014 hectares of  land.

Due to increased production rate, the DAE has increased the farming target  this year as compared to the last few years’ production. This year, the  production target has been increased by 61 percent while the farming target  has been increased by 51 percent, the official added. 

In Khulna, farmers have brought 2,314 hectares of land under the mustard  cultivation in 2023-24 fiscal years (FY) whereas last year 1,665 hectares of  land were cultivated and the production of mustard was 1,901 tonnes.

In Bagerhat, farmers have brought 1,598 hectares of land under mustard  cultivation whereas last year 1,336 hectares of land were cultivated and the  production of mustard was 1,676 tonnes.

In Satkhira, farmers have brought 19,025 hectares of land under mustard  cultivation whereas last year 14,030 hectares of land were cultivated and the  production of mustard was 18,239 tonnes.

In Narail, farmers have brought 12,888 hectares of land under mustard  cultivation whereas last year 9,215 hectares of land were cultivated and the  production was 11,519 tonnes. 

Mohan Kumar Ghosh, additional director of the DAE in Khulna region, told BSS  on Sunday, the cultivation is a little bit less due to the cyclonic storm  ‘Midhili’ against the setting target. But, production is increasing every  year. As the farming target has been increased, the production target is  higher than the last season.

“Moreover, we have given incentives and fertilizers properly this year to  exceed the target like the previous years. Proper field investigation and  advice have also been given to the farmers in time,” he said. 

Besides, we have requested farmers not to keep any fallow land without  cultivation.

Officials of the DAE in the Khulna region said the flowering of mustard  plants have given an enthralling yellowish look to vast tracts of crop fields  and nature as well as amid splendid climatic conditions pleasing everyone.