Inclusion of short duration mustard increases productivity and profitability of rice based cropping pattern in north-eastern Bangladesh

Abstract

An on-farm trial was conducted at the farmers’ field of Netrokona, a north-eastern district of Bangladesh during 2023-24 and 2024-25 to develop an improved cropping pattern T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan71)- mustard (var. BARI Sarisha-14)-Boro rice (var. BRRI dhan92) against farmers existing pattern T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan49)-Fallow-Boro rice (var. BRRI dhan29) for increasing the system productivity and profitability. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five dispersed replications. Two cropping patterns viz., improved (T. Aman- Mustard-Boro) and farmers’ existing one (T. Aman- Fallow-Boro) were the treatment variables of the experiment. The unit plot size was 1000-1200 m².  The result of the study revealed that three crops could be grown successfully in sequence in the tested site.  Mean rice equivalent yield of improved cropping pattern was 16.45 t ha^-1 which was 32.88 % higher than the existing cropping pattern (12.38 t ha^-1). Besides, land utilization index, harvest index and profitability of improved pattern was higher than farmers’ existing one. The mean gross return (Tk. 4,97,330 ha^-1) and gross margin (Tk. 2,48,673 ha^-1) were higher in improved pattern compared to farmers’ pattern. The marginal benefit cost ratio (2.30) was also indicated the superiority of the improved pattern over the farmers’ existing cropping pattern. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the improved cropping pattern, T. Aman (var. BRRI dhan71)-mustard (BARI Sarisha-14)-Boro rice (BRRI dhan92) could profitably be grown in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(4): 353-363, December 2025