Canola mustard catches fancy of farmers

Strap: Health benefits, prospects of good returns attracting farmers

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Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 15

Farmers in the area have taken special liking to the cultivation of canola mustard. Their new-found inclination can be attributed to health benefits and medicinal properties of canola oil.

According to experts, the oil is not only rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids but also contains saturated fat that helps lower cholesterol levels. It also helps to treat joint stiffness and skin problems and is a healthy cooking oil option.

According to Agriculture Department records, mustard was cultivated in more than 6,000 acres in the district this season. The area under canola mustard cultivation increased significantly this season. Agri experts said farmers in the region had become more aware about their health, as a result of which canola mustard cultivation increased significantly.

Dr Jatinder Singh Brar from Punjab Agricultural University regional centre said: “Farmers have shown higher inclination towards sowing canola mustard than the traditional black mustard. A total of 700 mustard plants were distributed among farmers in the district in the current season, out of which 350 plants were of canola mustard. A total of 50 canola mustard plants were distributed in 2017 and 100 were distributed in 2018.”

Jaskaran Singh, a farmer from Singo village in Talwandi Sabo, said: “After coming to know of health benefits and market value of canola oil, I am experimenting by cultivating new mustard in about one-third of my fields this season.”

Dr Gurmeet Singh, professor at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, a unit of the PAU regional centre, said: “Apart from numerous health benefits, canola mustard also promises rich dividends to the farming community. They can either cultivate it for domestic use or for selling it in the market. In one quintal of canola mustard, a farmer gets 35 kg of oil on average, which has market value of between Rs150 to Rs200 per kg. It has two per cent less erucic acid and less glucosinolates in fodder which is liked by cattle.

Authorities of the agricultural university had been laying emphasis on oilseed-based cultivation to reduce dependence on large scale import of oil from overseas and make farmers self-reliant.

“We have been spreading awareness and conducting camps to encourage cultivation of oilseeds. With its health benefits and prospects of lucrative returns, more farmers are showing interest in canola mustard and the area under cultivation is increasing every year,” added Singh.