Mustard has given a bumper yield this season in Mirsarai, Chattogram. After the yellow blaze of mustard flowers across the fields, the plants are bending under the weight of the crop and harvesting is in full swing. Farmers hope for good prices to match the good yield. Mustard farming is growing in the upazila year by year, as the low cost and high profit draw more farmers.

According to the upazila agriculture office, mustard has been grown on 665 hectares in the upazila this season, 625 hectares more than five years ago. In 2019-20, mustard was grown on 40 hectares across the upazila's 16 unions and two municipalities. In 2020-21 it rose by 10 hectares to 50 hectares, and in 2021-22 by a further 10 hectares to 60 hectares. It jumped in 2022-23 to 320 hectares. In 2023-24 it rose by 305 hectares to 625 hectares, and in 2024-25 mustard was grown on 650 hectares. This season it covers 665 hectares, with the most in Durgapur, Khoiyachhara, Ichhakhali, Wahedpur and Karerhat unions.

The area has grown because farmers across the 16 unions and two municipalities have been given government incentives and encouraged to grow mustard. Demand for mustard oil in the upazila has also risen. And because mustard is a very profitable crop needing little time and little capital, farmers are now turning to it.

Bipul Das, a farmer from Masjidia village in Khoiyachhara union, said: "I grow mustard every year. This year I sowed one acre again, and the yield is good. I press the oil from the mustard myself and sell it."

Young agricultural entrepreneur Ekramul Haque said he bought mustard seed online this year and grew it for the first time on 54 decimals, with a good yield. He grew BARI-17 in one plot and BARI-14 in another. Many people who saw his crop are interested and will collect seed to grow it next year, he said.

Another farmer, Nurul Absar, said: "I grew a little last year, and because the profit was good I have planted three plots this year. We take our own mustard to the market to have it pressed and eat the oil all year. I don't have to buy soybean oil any more."

Mohiuddin Tipu, a farmer from Maddhyam Wahedpur village in Wahedpur union, said he used to grow mustard on a small plot for his family. Now he is growing more to sell.

Monjur Haider, sub-assistant agriculture officer for Zorarganj union, said mustard has been grown on 15 hectares in his area this year. Cultivation is increasing gradually through local farmers' efforts and government support, he said.

Mirsarai upazila agriculture officer Pratap Chandra Roy said 5,000 farmers are growing mustard in the upazila this year. The upazila agriculture office has supported them with training, seed, fertiliser and other inputs. Mustard farming has grown many times over in five years. It is meeting local demand for edible oil and, as a cash crop, also contributing to the local economy, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.