Mustard prospects look bleak

Dense fog, cold weather worry farmers

14 December 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Tangail

With dense fog for the last few days ahead of the start of the season, prospect for a good yield of mustard this year seems bleak. Photo: STAR

Farmers in Tangail are worried that dense fog and severe cold may dampen the prospect of mustard yield this season. They said, favourable weather condition like sunlight at the beginning of cultivation season is a must for a better yield. Sources in the District Agriculture Extension Department (AED) said, they have set a target of mustard cultivation on 38,453 hectares of land in 12 upazilas of the district expecting production of 38,453 tonnes this year. Amjad Hossain of Darun village in Sadar upazila said, he cultivated mustard on 40 decimals of land this year, but dense fog, severe cold and inadequate sunlight are hampering the cultivation. "Various diseases have attacked the plants while the grain cannot grow properly in the gloomy weather," he added. Nikhil Chandra Pal, deputy director, Tangail Agriculture Extension Department (AED), said he along with other officials have already visited different areas where mustard is being cultivated. "We expect the weather will be favourable within the next few days and the mustard growers in the district will achieve a good yield this season," he added.