In Thakurgaon, the field is covered with the fragrance of mustard flowers and the hum of bees.

Thakurgaon Correspondent: Oilseed crop mustard is being cultivated commercially in Thakurgaon. Mustard oil is very popular in villages and even in cities. Due to that every year the farmers of Thakurgaon cultivate mustard with great interest. This year too, field after field in every village of the upazila is now filled with the fragrance of mustard flowers. Bees are working tirelessly to collect honey from flowers.

There is a unique beauty in the sound of bees, field after field in the village. According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, mustard has been cultivated in 2,050 hectares of land in the upazila this season. Mustard cultivation is very popular among all types of farmers in the upazila due to its short time, low cost and high profit. Eri Boro paddy has been cultivated on the same land for the last few years. For this the farmer does not have to work very hard.

As a result, mustard cultivation is gradually increasing, said the farmers. Going to the field of Marich Para village of Jamalpur union of the upazila, it can be seen that mustard has been cultivated in bigha land after bigha. Every mustard field is now full of flowers. Bees are working hard to collect honey from boiling flowers. The humming of bees has created a different atmosphere in the field. Golam Mostafa, a local farmer who came to look after the mustard field, said he has cultivated mustard on 2.5 bighas of land this year. The current climate is very conducive for mustard. If there is no natural calamity from the time the tree bears fruit to the time of ripening, then the farmer is coming to bumper harvest. The farmers of Thakurgaon district are mainly accustomed to cultivate indigenous varieties of mustard.

This year too he was no exception. The farmer said that the cultivation of different varieties of mustard has increased. Mustard seeds contain an average of about 40 to 44 percent oil. When 10 kg of mustard is threshed, about 3 kg of oil is produced. Mustard oil is rich in nutrients, due to which the demand for it is increasing day by day. Mentioning that there is nothing unnecessary in mustard, the farmers said that when the seedlings come out after sowing the seeds, the fields are filled with greenery.

At that time leaves can be collected from mustard trees and cooked and eaten as vegetables. After the flowers come to the tree, the bees collect honey from the flowers. After ripening, mustard seeds are extracted by threshing. When the grains come out, the stems are used as fuel. Mustard oil is popular as a vegetable oil in every village or town.

Mustard oil is a very nutritious food for cattle, buffaloes and goats. It is possible to make organic manure for Khail cattle feed as well as fish feed and even land. Therefore, many feel that it is important to take necessary steps to further increase the cultivation of mustard in the country.

Upazila agriculture sources said Thakurgaon is suitable for mustard cultivation in every area except Nim Al. Due to low cost and high profit, the farmers of this town are quite inclined to cultivate mustard. Mustard cultivation has increased this year as compared to last year. He said that the cultivation of mustard varieties of desi bari-14, 15, 16 and 17 has increased.