With the onset of winter almost all the fields in Satkhira are now full of mustard flowers. Wherever the eyes go, field after field is seen covered with these mesmerizing yellow flowers.
According to Satkhira Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a target has been set to plant mustard on 11,500 hectares of land with 1.35 metric tones production per hectare in the current Robi season in seven upazilas of the district.
Of this, 3,700 hectare of land will be brought under mustard cultivation in Satkhira Sadar, 5,510 hectares in Kalaroa, 460 hectares in Tala, 1,130 hectares in Debhata, 450 hectares in Kaliganj, 190 hectares in Asashuni and 60 hectares of land will be brought under mustard cultivation in Shyamnagar.
The production target for mustard cultivation has been set at 15,525 metric tones. However, among the seven upazilas, farmers of Satkhira Sadar, Kalaroa and Tala upazilas have become interested in mustard cultivation as they received more profitable and high yielding seeds in less time.
Visiting the fields in different areas of Satkhira Sadar, Kalaroa, Tala and Debhata Upazila, it was seen that he most cultivated varieties of mustard includes BARI-14, 15, 17, BINA-4, 9 and local varieties. In this season, farmers will be able to grow 14 to 15 mounds of mustard at the cost of Tk 4 to 5 thousand per Bigha. The market value for which is Tk 11 to 12 thousand. Md. Nurul Islam, Deputy Director of Satkhira DAE said farmers have become interested in mustard cultivation as they are getting higher yields in mustard cultivation within a short period of time. As a result, the value of mustard as a profitable crop is increasing day by day.