Mustard Cultivation is Gaining Popularity Among Farmers Due To Better Prices

Farmers have significantly extended the area under cultivation of the mustard crop in the district, owing to high mustard crop prices in the previous year. Mustard is being produced on over 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) of land at this time; previously, the oilseed was only grown on a small portion of the district's acreage.

During the current season, the mustard harvest has also fetched a fair price, which is projected to entice farmers to the cash crop even more. In the local market, mustard was sold for Rs 5,600 to Rs 6,250 per quintal this year.

Farmers believe that if mustard prices remain high in the future, it might become a viable alternative to wheat.

According to district agriculture officials, the district's per-acre mustard output has declined slightly to 6.5 quintal from almost 7 quintal last year.

The cultivation of mustard for personal use has also expanded in the region, since families have had to spend exorbitant amounts for buying mustard oil.

The price of mustard oil had risen dramatically in the previous year, from Rs 80 per litre to Rs 200 per litre. "Most farmers had seeded mustard for personal consumption, even if they hadn't produced it for commerce," an agriculture official said.

Facts To Remember

• Previously, mustard was only farmed on a small scale in the district, but now it is planted on over 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) of land.

• The mustard crop has also fetched a fair price during the current season, which is projected to encourage farmers to the cash crop even more.

• This year's mustard is being sold in the local market for between Rs 5,600 and Rs 6,250 per quintal.

• The price of mustard oil had risen dramatically in the previous year, from Rs 80 per litre to Rs 200 per litre.