The government has undertaken a plan to produce 40 percent to 50 percent of edible oil in the country within next three years.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzque said this at the opening ceremony of the annual research review workshop at the Rice Research Institute auditorium in Gazipur on Saturday.
The Agriculture Minister said that the country's agricultural scientists have developed high-yielding varieties of mustard which farmers are benefiting from cultivation. But the production of mustard is not making much impact on the market.
The agriculture minister also said that the ministry has taken a coordinated program as mustard is valued in the country.
He also said that within the next three years, we have taken a plan, we will produce 40 percent to 50 percent edible oil in the country. The value of mustard has not decreased in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture is moving forward with a coordinated program with the goal that people will return to mustard.
He also said, 'Hopefully, there have been two successes in solving this problem. Edible oil will be produced locally. BRRI and BINA scientists have developed many good mustard varieties. This variety is very good. Earlier it used to be 1.5 maunds to 2 maunds of mustard, now it is 6 maunds to 7 maunds. Earlier mustard was small but now it has grown in size. Another thing is that mustard is planted after Aman.
The minister said, "Usually Aman rice is harvested in 140 or 160 days. Because of this it takes more time and farmers don't want to plant mustard later. But our scientists have discovered varieties that yield in 110 days or 115 days. So it is possible to cultivate mustard during the period between Aman and Boro rice. Mustard ripens in 80 days to 85 days. Farmers can raise mustard seeds and plant boro. Farmers can earn Tk 30000 or Tk 40000 from this mustard.
Director General of Rice Research Institute Dr. Md. Shahjahan Kabir presided over the program and the state minister for planning MD. Shamsul Alam, Agriculture Secretary Wahida Akhtar, Director General of Agriculture Extension Department Benazir Alam, Executive Chairman of Agricultural Research Council Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bakhtiar also spoke on the occasion.
