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KHULNA, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 54,369 tonnes of mustard was produced from around 36,187 hectares of land in all four districts under the Khulna division during the current Rabi season.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) had set a target of producing 54,369 tonnes of mustard from 38,251 hectares of land in four districts of the Khulna Agricultural Zone.

The DAE's various initiatives and favourable climatic conditions during this Rabi season have helped farmers achieve the production target.

Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE, said landless and marginal farmers have also brought saline-prone lands under mustard cultivation this time in the coastal belt, and the crop is growing well across the region.

Suitable climatic conditions, high-yielding varieties, modern technologies and government initiatives have contributed to achieving the targets of both acreage and production this season, he said.

Various research and development organisations, including the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), along with NGOs, have taken adequate steps in collaboration with other departments to achieve the production target.

Sadman Sakib, 46, a farmer of Golna village under Dumuria upazila, has brought four bighas of land under oilseed cultivation this season. He harvested 17.5 maunds from four bighas of land last year.

He said the easy cultivation process and lower production cost compared to other Rabi crops are reasons behind the growing popularity of mustard farming in the region, including its coastal belt.

Another farmer of Tipna village, Abdul Hamid, 54, has cultivated mustard on seven bighas of land this season after attaining 20 maunds from five bighas last year.

Motaleb Sardar, 49, of Gutudia village said he cultivated mustard on two bighas of land last year and got six maunds per bigha.

He has brought three bighas under the crop this season and expects a good yield.

Zahangir Hossain, 51, another farmer of Sahas union, has become successful by cultivating the crop for the last couple of years. This year, he cultivated it on five bighas of land.

Dumuria Upazila Agriculture Officer Insan Ibne Amin said the government has attached the highest priority to the agriculture sector, and field-level officials and researchers are delivering services to farmers' doorsteps.

He said farmers are expanding cultivation of high-yielding mustard varieties on a larger scale to get the desired output and supplement government initiatives to ensure food security.

Mustard is a water-saving crop, and its expansion in the coastal area is important for reducing pressure on underground water, he added.

Shantiram Gain of Gangarampur Union under Batiaghata upazila has cultivated mustard on one bigha of land. His production cost stood at Taka 2,500, and he sold mustard worth about Taka 13,000 from the plot.

Mustard farmer Bagchi Mondal said, "Proper use of fertilizer helps mustard grow well. Farmers can harvest three to four maunds of mustard per bigha of land."

Farmers of the upazila said they cultivate mustard after harvesting early varieties of Aman paddy on the same land and then grow Boro paddy there again.

As a result, they are producing three crops from the same land in a year while maintaining soil fertility.

The cost of mustard cultivation is comparatively low and the profit is higher, they said, adding, "The aim of cultivating mustard is to consume some at home and sell the rest."

Meanwhile, rows of beehives have been set up beside mustard fields to increase yield. Honey collection by bees enhances pollination, leading to better production, while selling honey brings additional income.

A honey farmer said, "Bees are beneficial, not harmful. They help pollinate mustard fields."

This year, farmers have cultivated high-yielding varieties of mustard, which are expected to produce more output with less cultivation.

Agriculture officials said farmers are being provided with all necessary support.

Additional Deputy Director of the DAE in Khulna Md Rafiqul Islam said, "We expect farmers to produce 21,750 metric tonnes of mustard oil, around 40 percent oil from the 54,369 tonnes of mustard produced this year."