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.