Commercial honey production from mustard fields in Rajshahi is going on in full swing. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) expects to harvest about 646,000 tonnes of mustard from 389,000 hectares of land across eight districts in the division during the ongoing Rabi season.
Under Rajshahi Agricultural Region, authorities have set a production target of 306,000 tonnes from 182,000 hectares in four districts. In the Bogra agricultural region, another 340,000 tonnes of mustard is expected from 207,000 hectares across four districts.
The Rajshahi region has also set a target of producing around seven tonnes of honey this season.
Honey collection alongside mustard cultivation has become an additional source of income for farmers in the Barind region. Khalilur Rahman, a farmer from Bijoynagar village in Godagari upazila, has been collecting honey from mustard fields for more than a decade. He said mustard is cultivated after harvesting Aman paddy and matures within 55–60 days. The cost of cultivation ranges between Tk 2,500 and Tk 3,000 per bigha, yielding 7–8 maunds per bigha. Farmers can also collect 3–5 kilograms of honey per bigha by installing bee boxes.
Abir Hossain, a farmer from Purba Bamnail village in Godagari, said he collects an average of five kilograms of honey per box. By selling mustard honey, he earns over Tk 500,000 each winter season.
Beekeeper Amirul Islam from Jessore said he has installed 300 bee boxes in Bagmara upazila and expects to collect more than 4,500 kilograms of honey if weather conditions remain favorable. Similar optimism was expressed by beekeeper Palash from Satkhira and local farmer Rakib Hossain, who said honey collection in the area has consistently generated good profits over the past few years.
With mustard fields now in full bloom, honey harvesting has emerged as a blessing for many farmers across the Barind tract, significantly improving livelihoods and income. A growing number of farmers are commercially engaged in honey collection during the winter season.
Ali Hossain, a farmer from Tanore upazila, said government support—including mustard seeds, fertilizers, bees, training, digital honey boxes, and other equipment—has encouraged farmers to take up honey production. He added that many farmers have begun honey collection by utilizing local natural resources with official assistance.
Atanu Sarkar, Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer of Godagari upazila, said farmers in every union have received support for honey harvesting. “The number of honey collectors is gradually increasing, and it has proven highly profitable alongside mustard cultivation,” he said.
Dr Azizur Rahman, Additional Director of the DAE in the Rajshahi region, said honey harvesting is expanding into new areas every year, contributing to employment generation and increased production. “Integrated farming is increasingly being recognized as an effective way to boost mustard yields,” he added.
Professor Redwanur Rahman of the Institute of Environmental Science at Rajshahi University emphasized the need for greater technological and financial support, along with a well-structured marketing system. “With proper support, this sector can become even more profitable,” he said.