Farmers in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district are expecting a bumper mustard production this season as the fields are currently in full bloom due to favourable weather conditions.
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Shibchar said they are hoping that the output is likely to exceed the target as the weather was favourable for the crop. The target of mustard cultivation in the upazila was on 5,400 hectares of land while mustard has been cultivated on 4,620 hectares of land.
In the last fiscal year, mustard was cultivated on 4,020 hectares of land, according to the sources of DAE.
Farmers are sowing Bari-innovated mustard seeds in the fields after threshing their paddy under the advice of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to increase the production of mustard oil.
Farmers are spending busy time in mustard cultivation in various areas including Baheratla, Kutubpur, Kadirpur of the upazila. Mustard cultivation is quite popular in Shibchar as many farmers have changed their fortune by cultivating the cash crop.
If they get proper cooperation from the concerned authorities, farmers would get a good price, subsequently increasing the scope of mustard cultivation in the region in the upcoming seasons, farmers said.
Eskander Matbar, 58, of Charjanajat village in the upazila said farmers normally get five to seven maunds of mustard from one bigha of land. Each maund is sold at Tk1,600 to Tk3,000 in the local market.
 “We have expended Tk1,200 to Tk2,500 for seeds, ploughing and fertiliser on one bigha,” Eskander added.
“Earlier, we faced problems in selling mustard, so some farmers lost interest in mustard farming, but in recent times, the market for mustard is high both locally and nationally,” said mustard trader Md Barek Madber.  
Khokon Mia, a farmer of the upazila said “I have been cultivating mustard from last year as the cost of production is quite low. I hope to get more yield than the last time. If the prices remain rational, then we will be able to gain profit.”
Farmer Mohammad Azizullah of Jaduwar char area said, “This season, I planted mustard on two bighas of land. Not only in our field but all other farmers also received a good yield in the current season.”
Shahin Khan, a student who went to visit a mustard field to enjoy the natural scenario, said “It feels very good and soothing. As far as the eyes see, nature is wrapped with a yellow curtain. Every year, I come to visit the mustard fields as it feels better.”
Shibchar Upazila Agriculture Officer Rafiqul Islam told the Daily Sun, “Enthusiastic farmers cultivated mustard both on the vast char areas and mainland after getting special incentives. In the current year, mustard has been cultivated on 4,620 hectares of land in the upazila.”
Shibchar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al-Mamun said currently, the government is providing various facilities including incentives to encourage farmers in mustard cultivation.
“Farmers have become interested in mustard cultivation due to good market price, increased yield due to introduction of new improved varieties and profitability as an intermediate crop in fallow land.”