Mustard cultivation to bring self-sufficiency in edible oil

By Our Correspondent, Khotang, Dec. 3: Rawabesi Rural Municipality of Khotang has forwarded the concept of becoming self-sufficient in mustard oil.

Because mustard is cultivated in most of the areas within the municipality, it has taken an initiative to cultivate mustard farming to reduce the import of oil from outside, said the municipality.

Fatik Kumar Shrestha, chairman of the municipality, said that despite plenty of fertile land for oilseed crop production, edible oil worth millions of rupees is being imported and that the municipality has started a mustard cultivation promotion programme to end this.

Some time ago, the municipality had called applications from the farmers after selecting the areas for mustard cultivation in all the six wards.

Chairman Shrestha said that based on the application received from the farmers, seed distribution has started under the Mustard Cultivation Promotion Programme.

Khaireni, Chalise, Kukhure and Beltar of Ward No. 1, Kubhinde, Dasamure and Jaljale of Ward No. 2 and Kharpa, area of Tirpa Bensi of Ward No. 3 and Lamidanda have been selected for mustard cultivation.

Similarly, Kathare Bensi and Kharpatar of Ward No. 4, Dumre Dharapani, Rautar of Ward No.  5 and Hauchur Bensi, Gidde Bensi, Tar Bensi and Bhaise Tar of Ward No. 6 were selected for mustard cultivation, said Uddhab Bastola, an agricultural technician.

Around 650 farmers of the selected area have applied for mustard cultivation. According to him, they have distributed seed based on the land and irrigation conditions of the farmers who have applied.

The rural municipality has purchased 1,260 kg of mustard seeds for distribution to farmers.

According to the demand of the farmers, if the mustard seeds are insufficient, the municipality will purchase and provide the seeds again, said Shrestha.

He said that the municipality will be made self-sufficient in cooking oil by producing mustard seeds as much as possible.

Chairman Shrestha said that the municipality will also operate mustard mills.