September 18, 2026

Bangla
Home
Sport
World
Business & Economy
Features
Others
Recent News

Ghani, the traditional oil mill

Ghani, the technique of oil manufacturing at wooden grinders drawn by cows is a fading tradition in Bangladesh. These revolving machines were once the only way to produce mustard oil in this part of the world.

Advanced technologies have replaced oil manufacturing at wooden grinders drawn by cows. A few such mills are still operating in Savar’s Nama Bazar. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Advanced technologies have replaced oil manufacturing at wooden grinders drawn by cows. A few such mills are still operating in Savar’s Nama Bazar. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Modern machines allow farmers to get faster and better yield using electricity, so Ghani, the local name of the traditional method to produce mustard oil, is becoming a thing of the past. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Modern machines allow farmers to get faster and better yield using electricity, so Ghani, the local name of the traditional method to produce mustard oil, is becoming a thing of the past. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
The eyes of the cows are covered in a traditional wooden oil mill called Ghani to keep the animals from distraction at Marzan Oil Mill in Savar’s Nama Bazar. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
The eyes of the cows are covered in a traditional wooden oil mill called Ghani to keep the animals from distraction at Marzan Oil Mill in Savar’s Nama Bazar. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil drips from the pipeline of Ghani, a traditional wooden oil mill. Mustard is brought from different places around the country. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil drips from the pipeline of Ghani, a traditional wooden oil mill. Mustard is brought from different places around the country. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
A Ghani can produce 18 kg of oil from around 55.5 kg of mustard. With six cows operating in three separate Ghani revolvers, a farmer can produce 54 to 60 kg oil daily. Each cow is rested every 40 minutes. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
A Ghani can produce 18 kg of oil from around 55.5 kg of mustard. With six cows operating in three separate Ghani revolvers, a farmer can produce 54 to 60 kg oil daily. Each cow is rested every 40 minutes. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil produced through wooden mills called Ghani and driven by cows has always been in demand despite the presence of other brands produced from mills run by fuel oil or electricity. Every litre of mustard oil from Ghani is sold at Tk 300-320 per litre. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil produced through wooden mills called Ghani and driven by cows has always been in demand despite the presence of other brands produced from mills run by fuel oil or electricity. Every litre of mustard oil from Ghani is sold at Tk 300-320 per litre. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil produced through wooden mills called Ghani and driven by cows has always been in demand despite the presence of other brands produced from mills run by fuel oil or electricity. Every litre of mustard oil from Ghani is sold at Tk 300-320 per litre. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Mustard oil produced through wooden mills called Ghani and driven by cows has always been in demand despite the presence of other brands produced from mills run by fuel oil or electricity. Every litre of mustard oil from Ghani is sold at Tk 300-320 per litre. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Besides Savar, these traditional oil mills can also be found in Dhamrai, Pabna, Nilphamari, and Thakurgaon, among other places. Ghani farmers are trying to revive the culture by using buffaloes in place of cows. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove
Besides Savar, these traditional oil mills can also be found in Dhamrai, Pabna, Nilphamari, and Thakurgaon, among other places. Ghani farmers are trying to revive the culture by using buffaloes in place of cows. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove

bdnews24.com

Published : 28 Jul 2023, 09:57 PM

Updated : 28 Jul 2023, 09:57 PM

Read More
99 judges transferred
99 judges transferred
Students cry foul over Pakistan scholarship ‘deception’
Students cry foul over Pakistan scholarship ‘deception’
Scientists crack mystery of black hole 'burps'
Scientists crack mystery of black hole 'burps'
UN mission finds grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran, and Tehran crimes against humanity
UN mission finds grounds to believe US committed war crimes in Iran, and Tehran crimes against humanity
Read More
Opinion

Anamika Bhakta

Spectrum price: Will Bangladesh follow the global trend or continue on its perilous path?
Anamika Bhakta

Sabir Mustafa

From BRICS to Makkah, Bangladesh misses two buses in one week
Sabir Mustafa

Mike Dolan

AI is too big to slow in a geopolitical race: Mike Dolan
Mike Dolan

Sabir Mustafa

Hasina’s road to Dhaka strewn with doubts and danger
Sabir Mustafa
Read More