Mustard has been cultivated on 8,240 hectares of land in Porsha upazila of Naogaon in the current Rabi season. If the mustard plants and weather are good, there is a possibility of bumper yield.
This time, the farmers of the upazila are expecting to get good prices as the possibility of good yield of mustard has been shown. They have cultivated mustard varieties Bari Sarisha-14, Bari Sarisha-17, Bina-11 and Tori-7 locally on a large scale. It is said that farmers have planted more Bari Sarisha-14 due to the good yield last year. Farmers believe that the yield of Bari mustard-14 bighas can be 9-10 maunds, Bari mustard-17 bighas 10-11 maunds, Bina-11 bighas 8-9 maunds and Tori mustard-7 bighas 6-8 maunds. Although the current market price of mustard is 3,800 to 4,000 taka per maund, many believe that its price may decrease slightly to 2,800 to 3,000 taka per maund when the new mustard comes up.
Although the farmers are happy to see the mustard fields, they are a bit worried about the price. However, they said that they will not have any problem if the current market price is maintained. If the price is low for some reason, they feel that they will not have anything left after covering the expenses incurred in cultivating mustard. Mustard farmers Rubel of Baiddhapur village in Nitpur, Masdul of Dayarpal in Kalaibari, Tariqul Islam of Chakbishnpur, Rabiul Islam of Jalua village in Tentulia, Ismail and Shariful Islam of Lakshipur village in Chhaor said that they have cultivated mustard on 5 to 25 bighas of land each.
The mustard fields they have planted have done very well. They are expecting good yields. But they are wondering whether the prices will be good. However, they also think that many people will lean towards mustard cultivation if the prices are good along with good yields. Upazila Agriculture Officer and Agriculturist Mamunur Rashid said that mustard has been cultivated on 8,240 hectares of land in the upazila this season.
The target was set at 8,285 hectares. Although mustard cultivation in this upazila is slightly less than the target, farmers are leaning towards mustard cultivation compared to other years. He also said that due to the good weather, the mustard fields are looking very good and it will be possible to achieve the production target. He further said that an action plan was prepared at the beginning of the year to encourage farmers to cultivate mustard. In addition, mustard and fertilizer have been provided to the farmers as incentives and demonstrations.
They are training and advising the farmers on various aspects in this regard. As a result, the farmers are inclined towards mustard cultivation and they are working towards showing more interest in mustard cultivation in the future, he said.
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