Rangpur: The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has set an unprecedented target for the production of mustard in the Rangpur division, aiming for 2,34,919 tonnes from 1,48,748 hectares during the 2025-2026 Rabi season. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, farmers in the previous 2024-2025 Rabi season produced 1,84,529 tonnes of mustard on 1,22,566 hectares across eight districts within the division's two agricultural regions. The current season's target represents an increase of 50,390 tonnes, or 27.30 percent, over last season's output. The target for this season includes the production of 1,46,281 tonnes of mustard from 90,568 hectares in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari districts in the Rangpur agricultural region. Additionally, 88,638 tonnes are expected from 58,180 hectares in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Panchagarh districts under the Dinajpur agricultural region. Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region, noted that the recor d production target aims to achieve self-reliance in edible oil production from local mustard and oilseeds. There has been a push for farmers to expand mustard oil cultivation due to its increasing demand and profitability. Currently, mustard seeds have been sown on approximately 6,500 hectares, with sowing set to conclude next month. Government support, in the form of quality seeds and fertilizers, is encouraging small and marginal farmers to expand cultivation, particularly in mainland and riverine char areas. The DAE, along with the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), is providing assistance to ensure the success of the cultivation program. Farmers are predominantly planting high-yield varieties such as BARI Sarisha-16 and BINA Sarisha-3 across the region. Dr Md Abu Sayem, Deputy Director of the DAE's Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur, reported that mustard farming is gaining pop ularity on both riverine char areas and mainland, particularly in northern Bangladesh. The sowing on char lands adjacent to rivers like Dudhkumar, Dharla, and Teesta is ongoing and will continue until December. Farmers, including Aminur Rahman, Dulal Chandra, and Shahriar Alam, have already completed sowing after harvesting Aman rice. Mohsin Ali from village Kathihara noted that many farmers will follow suit after their Aman rice harvest.
