‘Relay Farming’ brings new hope to farmers in Khulna

The innovative 'Relay Farming Method' has breathed new life into 40 hectares of previously abandoned land in Dighalia upazila of Khulna, offering fresh opportunities for local farmers.

This year, 30 bighas of land in Brakkagati Block have been cultivated with mustard under the relay farming technique. Previously, these lands lay idle.

Relay farming involves sowing a new crop just before harvesting the current one, enabling farmers to grow two or more crops annually. The method, which requires minimal investment and time, is gaining popularity in the region due to its high profitability, according to local authorities.

Using this approach, mustard can be planted without ploughing the land. Farmers can earn an estimated profit of Tk70,000 to Tk80,000 per hectare, with the crop ready for harvest in 70 to 75 days, as per the Upazila Agriculture Office.

The window between the Aman and Boro paddy seasons offers farmers an ideal opportunity to cultivate mustard and other crops, turning previously fallow lands into sources of economic benefit.

Dighalia Upazila Agriculture Officer Kishore Ahmed said that mustard has been cultivated on 120 hectares in total this season, 40 hectares of which are under the 'Relay Farming' method.

"Farmers were encouraged to plant mustard after harvesting short-duration Aman paddy varieties, which mature in 75 to 87 days," Ahmed explained.

He said, "This year, we distributed free BIN-9 mustard seeds to farmers 10 days before their Aman paddy harvest. Within 10 days of sowing, the mustard begins to germinate, allowing farmers to harvest it within two and a half months. Afterwards, they can proceed with Boro cultivation."

Ahmed said that the method enables farmers to grow three crops a year instead of two, with plans to extend the cultivation area to over 100 hectares in future seasons.

Ajay Chandra Das, a farmer from Brakkagati Block, shared his success with the new method: "Previously, our land remained fallow during this season. On the advice of agricultural officers, I planted mustard on my 0.25-acre plot. The crop is thriving, and we expect to harvest it in 20 to 25 days."

Similarly, Bijoy Chandra Das, another farmer in the block, said: "This is my first time cultivating mustard. Earlier, we only planted Aman and Boro paddy. The free seeds from the Agriculture Office have resulted in a flourishing crop, and we are hopeful for a good yield."

Kamrul Islam, assistant agricultural officer of Dighalia Union, emphasised the economic potential of relay farming, "This method allows farmers to grow an additional crop between the Aman and Boro seasons. In Brakkagati Block alone, 45 farmers have cultivated mustard on five hectares. With proper irrigation and fertilisation, they can harvest their crops before the Boro season begins in late January."

With its promising outcomes and increased interest among farmers, relay farming is set to transform agricultural practices in the region, bringing greater economic benefits to the community.