The farmers of Jhenaida are very happy with the better production of mustard this season. They are expecting at least 13,550 tons of mustard seeds from 10,200 hectares land, said a source related to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Jhenaidah. Additional 615 hectares of land was added to 9,515 hectares from last season.
Increasing demand of mustard oil as edible oil and reluctance of the consumers to use imported soybean oil are the main reason behind the expansion of the mustard farming in the district.
Farmer Sabuj Hossain of Kalicharanpur village under Jhenidah sadar upazila said he cultivated mustard on his two bighas of land in the last season However; the area of farming was increased to three bighas in the current season.
The farmers in the area are more interested in cultivating BARI 9 and BARI 14 variety as these two varieties ensure at least 1.6 to 1.7 tons of seeds per hectare. They said a farmer can harvest mustard seeds for Taka 20 thousand in 100 to 120 days excluding all expenses for production. According to DAE Deputy Director’s office in Jhenaidah, the farmers brought 3,335 hectares of land under the mustard farming in Jhenidah Sadar, 1,325 hectares in Kaliganj, 350 hectares in Kotchandpur, 1,115 hectares in Moheshpur, 2,625 hectares in Shailkupa and 1,450 hectares in Harinakundu upazila in the current season.
Kripangshu Sekhar Biswas, DAE Deputy Director in Jhenidah said the farmers have started expanding mustard farming considering their health and money both.
The people, especially, in rural areas have started cooking with mustard oil instead of soybean oil. They believe that mustard oil is more healthy and free from adulteration. Moreover, mustard has medical value to prevent cough, cold, asthma and some chest diseases.
