AHMED HUMAYUN KABIR TOPU, Pabna

As winter unfolds in Bangladesh, the landscape transforms into a vibrant canvas painted with fields of golden mustard flowers, signaling not only the beauty of the season but also the resilience of farmers seizing agricultural opportunities.

In Sirajganj, this annual spectacle reflects a surge in mustard cultivation, as local farmers expand their fields despite a national trend toward increased onion and other crop production.

Md Shamim Sheikh, a farmer from Baghabari in Shahzadpur upazila, said, “Mustard is always profitable due to its low production costs.”

This year, he has planted mustard on three bighas of land, facing rising labor and fertiliser costs that now exceed Tk 5,000 per bigha. “There’s little risk of loss with mustard, especially since onions and other crops often lead to setbacks,” he said.

In flood-prone regions like Sirajganj, seasonal floods can wreak havoc, but farmers have adapted by preparing their land for mustard cultivation once the waters recede.

“After harvesting paddy, our fields are often under water, leaving us with no options for further crops. But once the water is gone, we turn to mustard on the vast riverbank lands,” said Md Sharif Hossain from Choto village in Sirajganj Sadar upazila.

Last year, Sharif was disappointed with his Amon rice harvest, prompting him to dedicate his entire five bighas to mustard this season. Now, his fields, along with many others in the area, are a brilliant yellow, creating a striking contrast against the winter sky.

The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) reported a significant increase in mustard cultivation this year, with 87,125 hectares allocated for producing 144,000 tonnes, a rise from 85,170 hectares in the previous year.

Md Ahsan Shahid Sarkar, deputy director of DAE, Sirajganj, said, “Farmers here have cultivated the largest area of mustard again this year. With 30 to 40 percent of fields submerged for months, we can only manage two crops a year.”

This shift towards mustard is not merely a trend but a necessity for many flood-affected farmers seeking reliable yields, he said.

While Sirajganj celebrates its achievements, neighbouring districts like Pabna are facing setbacks.

“Last year, we cultivated 45,043 hectares of mustard in Pabna and aimed to maintain that level this year. However, we have only managed to cultivate 44,890 hectares,” said Md Ashikur Rahman, a development officer with DAE, Pabna.

He attributed the decrease to the rising popularity of onions, with an expected production of 66,867 tonnes of mustard this year.

At the national level, the DAE has set target of 1.164 million hectares for mustard cultivation, aiming for a total production of 1.726 million tonnes. Yet, as of December 23, only 1.014 million hectares have been cultivated, fulfilling 87.08 percent of the target.

Md. Nizamul Haque Patowari, deputy director of the crops wing at DAE headquarters, said, “Our goal is to increase mustard production to reduce reliance on soybean imports. We are actively working to enhance mustard cultivation nationwide.”