As winter is at the doorstep, there is a celebration of yellow in the fields of Kishoreganj. The fields have become colorful with the yellow color of mustard flowers. Farmers of Kishoreganj are becoming more and more interested in mustard cultivation as they get better price by selling this high yields and low cost crops. Moreover, the continued loss in paddy cultivation is another reason for interest in mustard cultivation.
Farmers said that it is possible to harvest mustard at home within two-three months of planting. Moreover, farmers do not have to work very hard from planting to harvesting. No extra fertilizer is required. Just a little use of urea fertilizer is enough to cultivate mustard. Weeds need to be cleaned once after planting. Besides, no extra labor is required.
According to the District Agriculture Extension Department, mustard has been targeted for 8,650 hectares of land in Kishoreganj district this season. Mustard has already been planted in 2,150 hectares of land.
Farmers said that in recent years, record amounts of mustard were cultivated in Kishoreganj. Due to the development of technology, farmers shifted from mustard cultivation to other crops. As a result, mustard cultivation became almost extinct in this region. However, after being deprived of a fair price for paddy for the last few years, farmers are now interested in cultivating mustard again. Yellow and green are now a combination of vast fields in almost all areas of the district. They are hoping to make a profit by cutting aman paddy and cultivating mustard in the same field.
Mustard has been planted in large parts of Karimganj, Bajitpur and Bhairab. A record amount of mustard has been planted in the district this year.
Ismail Hossain, a mustard farmer, was talking in the field of Niamatpur village in Karimganj upazila of the district. He said that he has cut Aman paddy and cultivated mustard in that land again. The yield has been good due to favorable weather. He said there would be bumper yields if there were no major natural disasters ahead. Mustard used to be planted in this field earlier. But for about 10 years now they have been planting paddy and other crops instead of mustard. But due to the loss in paddy cultivation in the last three seasons, he has decided to cultivate mustard again and planted mustard in three bighas of land.
Farmer Parag Ali when being asked said that due to continuous paddy cultivation, there is nothing to say about the fertility of the land. Then there is no profit in paddy cultivation, it is difficult to raise production cost. But mustard cultivation costs less and profit is more. Irrigate two or three times. Mustard can be sold for 20 thousand to 22 thousand taka. That is why farmers do not want to plant paddy anymore. He said he will cultivate mustard as well as vegetables in future.
Talking in the same field, with another farmer named Atiqul said that he has cultivated mustard in two bighas of land. The yield seems very good at the moment. He will pick mustard and plant Boro paddy on the same land in front again.
"By cultivating mustard, on the one hand, we will get quality edible oil and on the other hand, we will benefit by selling it at a good price," he said.
Kishoreganj District Agriculture Extension Department Deputy Director Md Saiful Alam said, "We see this initiative of the farmers as positive." He said that in order to maintain the fertility of the land, the agriculture department is encouraging the farmers to cultivate mustard. That is why most of the farmers are now leaning towards mustard cultivation.