Mustard seeds in Rangpur agricultural region during this Rabi season. Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Dec 19, 2025 (BSS) - After getting incentives in terms of seeds and fertilisers from the government, enthusiastic farmers are likely to exceed the fixed target of mustard seeds in Rangpur agricultural region during this Rabi season. 
 
Officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said that till December 18, farmers have brought 78,045 hectares of land under mustard farming against the fixed target of cultivating the oilseeds on 90,568 hectares of land in the region.
 
Although the early varieties of mustard plants are in the flowering stage, sowing of its seeds is still ongoing in the five districts of this region - Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.
 
"The DAE has set a record target of producing 1,46,281 tonnes of mustard seeds from 90,568 hectares of land for Rangpur region during the current 2025-2026 Rabi season," said Additional Director of the DAE for Rangpur region Md Shirajul Islam.
 
Till Thursday, farmers had brought 78,045 hectares of land under mustard farming, which is 86.17 percent of the fixed farming target. 
 
The record target of producing mustard has been fixed aiming at attaining self-reliance on production of edible oils from locally produced mustard and other oilseeds.
  
Being inspired by motivational activities being conducted by the DAE, farmers have by and large cultivated high yielding varieties of mustard like 'Tori 7', BARI-9, BARI-14, BARI-15 and BINA-4 on more land across the region to get high yields.
 
The DAE, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) and Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) are extending assistance to farmers to make the mustard cultivation programme a success. 
   
After getting excellent production with lucrative prices between Taka 4,300 and Taka 4,800 per mound (every 40 kg) last year, farmers have been showing their keen interest in cultivating the highly profitable crop this season. 

Talking to BSS, farmers Abed Hossain, Bakul Mia, Nasir Uddin and Abdul Wahab of different upazilas in Rangpur said they are expecting a bumper production of mustard this season.
 
Farmer Mozammel Hossain of village Najirdigar and Isahaque Ali of village Kathihara in Rangpur Sadar said many farmers have sowed mustard seeds after harvesting short duration Aman rice on the same land to enhance crop intensity and reap more profits.
 
"We will cultivate Boro rice on the same land after harvesting mustard this season like in the previous years," Isahaque Ali added.
 
Deputy Director of the DAE's Burirhat Horticulture Centre in Rangpur Agriculturist Dr Md Abu Sayem said mustard farming has become popular both on the vast char areas and mainland in recent years.
 
"We are expecting a bumper production of mustard as its tender plants are growing superbly and the process of sowing seeds still continues amid favourable climatic conditions," he added.