Mustard output worth Tk 3,000 crore in Bangladesh

Mustard production in Bangladesh rose by 3.35 lakh tonnes to 11.52 lakh tonnes this year, according to the agriculture ministry.

It estimated that if this year's mustard production is converted into oil, it will be 1.21 lakh tonnes, which is equivalent to Tk 3,000 crore as per the current market price of the oil.

The production of the oilseed was 8.24 lakh tonnes last year, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.

In the current season, the oilseed was cultivated on 8.12 lakh hectares of land, up more than 2 lakh hectares from last year's 6.1 lakh hectares, the ministry said in a press release yesterday.

The country saw the boost in mustard production as part of the agriculture ministry's plan to increase edible oil production so that it can meet 40 per cent of the demand in three years.

The current demand for edible oil in Bangladesh is 24 lakh tonnes. Only 3 lakh tonnes of edible oil are produced from mustard, sesame and sunflower seeds, meeting 12 per cent of domestic demand.

The ministry is implementing a three-year action plan to reduce import dependency for edible oil.