MANIKGANJ, Jan. 3, 2024 (BSS) - Bumper mustard output likely as the fixed target of cultivation has exceeded during the current Robi season in all the seven upazilas of the district.

As favorable climatic condition is prevailing in the district, the cultivators are expecting an excellent production of the crops in the areas.

Good production of mustard and its fair prices have been encouraging the farmers to spread its cultivation during the last several years.

Easy cultivation and harvesting process and lower production cost is also a reason behind the popularity of mustard cultivation in the areas, the sources said.

Alauddin, one of the mustard cultivators of Nabagram village under Manikganj sadar upazila, said they cultivated mustard on their lands after harvesting the Aman paddy and they would cultivate their main crop Boro paddy on the same land after reaping mustard.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had fixed a target of bringing 71,222 hectares of lands under mustard cultivation with a production target of 1,10,394 metric tons of mustard seeds in all the seven upazilas of the district this season. But, the fixed target already exceeded the DAE office sources said, adding that last year the target of mustard cultivation was fixed in 43,300 hectares of land but mustard was cultivated on 47,543 hectares of land in the district.

 "The government ensured the necessary supply of seeds, fertilizers and other inputs in the right times to help its bumper production," the sources said, adding that most of the land would be brought under Boro cultivation after harvesting mustard.

Deputy Director (DD) of the DAE Abu Mohammad Enayet Ullah said mustard cultivators of the district are interested to cultivate the crops on their lands due to its easy cultivation process. High market price is also one of the main factors in cultivating mustard, he added.