Mustard cultivation hits record in Ctg, production up 13 times in 10 years

The Department of Agricultural Extension's (DAE) special initiative to expand oilseed cultivation has begun to show results in Chattogram. Mustard farming and production have both increased significantly, rising thirteen times in the region over the past decade.

According to data from the Chattogram office of the DAE, mustard was grown on only 351 hectares in the 2014–15 season, producing about 400 tonnes. In the 2024–25 season, cultivation increased to 4,673 hectares, with output reaching 5,678 tonnes. Officials said the long-term rise is clear, but the real shift has taken place since 2022, as higher demand and better profits have made mustard farming rapidly popular among farmers.

Mustard has also become a new option for farmers during the gap between the boro and aman seasons. Cultivation has expanded alongside vegetable farming, while beekeeping around mustard fields has increased as well. 

Officials said new varieties, lower production costs, and assured markets are further accelerating cultivation, with many farmers now earning from both mustard and honey.

Government support drives expansion

Officials said various government initiatives have played a key role in increasing mustard cultivation in the Chattogram district. Alongside incentives to boost oilseed production, the government has implemented demonstration plots, adoption programmes and technology expansion activities under the revenue sector. 

They noted that active participation from public representatives and support from upazila administrations have helped carry these initiatives forward.

Farmers have also become more interested in mustard cultivation on their own initiative. Upazila agriculture officers and sub-assistant agriculture officers (SAAOs) have been providing regular advice, training, technical support, and motivation at the field level, encouraging farmers to increase cultivation. 

As a result, farmers' confidence in mustard farming has grown, and many are now cultivating larger areas than before.

Cultivation surges across Chattogram

According to Chattogram DAE, mustard was cultivated on 758 hectares in the 2020–21 season, producing 932 tonnes. The following year, cultivation fell to 711 hectares, with output at 854 tonnes. 

However, from the 2022–23 season onward, mustard farming expanded sharply, rising to 2,342 hectares and producing 2,576 tonnes. In 2023–24, cultivation reached 3,987 hectares with output at 4,750 tonnes before rising further to 4,673 hectares and 5,678 tonnes in the 2024–25 season.

Of the mustard grown this season, 419 hectares are under BINA varieties and 4,254 hectares under BARI varieties. Officials said mustard, once grown on a limited scale, has now taken a notable place in the region's agriculture.

Raozan, Hathazari, Fatikchhari, Mirsharai, and Rangunia have seen the highest levels of cultivation. In the 2024–25 season, 900 hectares were cultivated in Hathazari, 850 hectares in Raozan, 650 hectares in Mirsharai, 399 hectares in Fatikchhari, and 317 hectares in Rangunia.

Demand for mustard oil rises

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Bangladesh has an annual demand of around 3.2 million tonnes of edible oil, with per capita consumption at 17kg a year. Palm oil accounts for 50% of this demand, soybean oil supplies 28%, mustard oil meets 19%, and the remaining 3% comes from other oilseed crops. 

Officials said mustard oil's acceptance has increased as it is considered healthier and more nutritious, leading to noticeable growth in sales.

Project support behind recent growth

Md Omor Faruque, additional deputy director (crops) of the Chattogram DAE, said Satkania, Rangunia, and Raozan upazilas were given special focus under the oilseed production enhancement project. 

"Mustard cultivation has increased noticeably in these three upazilas in recent years. Project support, incentives, farmers' positive experiences, and close field-level supervision have contributed to this growth," he told TBS.

"With farmers' growing interest and the department's intensive field activities, this progress in Chattogram will be an important example for increasing oilseed production in the future," he added.