Representational Image.

 
CHATTOGRAM, Nov 23, 2025 (BSS)- Oilseeds cultivation has been increased 13 times in the last 10 years as DAE has implemented a special plan to boost their cultivation.

Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has implemented a special plan to boost the cultivation of oilseeds in various upazilas of the district. 
 
DAE officials said successful implementation of the plan titled 'Increase in Oilseed Crop Production' has resulted in significant increase in mustard seeds cultivation and production in the area each year.
 
The goal of the project was to increase production by 15 to 20 percent and promote the cultivation of mustard, sesame, sunflower, and peanut to reduce reliance on imported edible oils. 

According to official data, in the 2014-2015 seasons, the target for mustard cultivation in Chattogram was only on 351 hectares. In the current season (2025), the target has fixed to cultivate on 4,673 hectares indicating a 13-fold increase.

Notably, production has seen a significant surge in the last three years, particularly after 2022.
 
Nur Nabi, a farmer of Sitakundu told BSS that mustard cultivation has gained popularity among farmers due to high demand and good profit. 
 
“It is typically grown between Boro and Aman seasons, alongside paddy and vegetable cultivation. Beekeeping has also seen increased interest in conjunction with mustard cultivation, DAE officials said. 

The development of new varieties has led to higher crop yields in recent years, benefiting both honey extraction and mustard farmers, he added.
 
DAE officials said both cultivation areas and production has seen increase over the past few seasons. In the 2020-21 seasons, mustard was cultivated on 758 hectares of land, producing 932.24 million tons. The following season, cultivation decreased to 711 hectares with a production of 854 tons. 
 
However, in the 2022-23 season, mustard cultivation expanded to 2,342 hectares of land, yielding 2,576 tons. This trend continued in the 2023-24 season with cultivation in 3,987 hectares of land and production of 4,750 tons. 

In the current 2024-25 season, mustard was cultivated in 4,673 hectares, producing 5,678 tons. Bari variety of mustard was planted on 4,254 hectares, while other varieties were planted on 419 hectares, the sources added.
 

In Chattogram, paddy and vegetable cultivation has been traditional, with mustard cultivation being minimal in the past. 

However, recent efforts and planning have led to a significant increase in mustard cultivation in the region. 

Farmers are now growing both high-yielding and local varieties of mustard. The Agriculture Department reports that mustard cultivation has seen a rise in Raozan, Hathazari, Fatikchhari, Mirsarai, and Rangunia upazilas of the district. 

 
According to the Ministry of Agriculture's website, implementation of the project could reduce the oil import rate by 40.54% within three years.

Bangladesh's annual demand for edible oil is approximately 3.2 million tons, with a per capita consumption of 17 kg per year. Palm oil meets 50% of this demand, soybean oil meets 28%, sorghum oil meets 19%, and the remaining 3% is sourced from various oils. 

Sorghum oil is considered healthier compared to other oils due to its nutritional content, leading to increasing awareness and sales of safflower oil.
 
Md. Omar Faruk, Additional Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture, said the DAE is implementing initiatives to increase mustard production through incentive programmes and collaboration with public representatives. Oil seeds cultivation is preferably done three-month gap between Boro and Aman cultivation periods.