After soybean and peanuts, now everyone's eyes are on mustard production

08-Nov-2024 05:18 PM

New Delhi. Due to good rainfall in the southwest monsoon and increase in sowing area, the production of peanuts and soybean is expected to increase during the Kharif season this year, while now the sowing of mustard has also started in the Rabi season. The production of these three major oilseed crops in India is more than 100 lakh tonnes (each).

According to the first advance estimate of the Union Agriculture Ministry, during the Kharif marketing season of 2024-25, compared to the 2023-24 season, soybean production is likely to increase by 3 lakh tonnes from 130.62 lakh tonnes to 133.60 lakh tonnes and peanut production is likely to jump by 17 lakh tonnes from 86.60 lakh tonnes to 103.60 lakh tonnes. This is the first production estimate of the government, while three other estimates are going to be released in future, so there may be some change in the production estimate of oilseeds in the coming time. The total production of Kharif oilseed crops is also estimated to increase by 15.83 lakh tonnes from 241.62 lakh tonnes last year to 257.45 lakh tonnes this time.

If the production of mustard improves, the supply and availability of edible oils from domestic sources will increase, which may reduce the need for its import from abroad. Solvent Excise Traders Association of India (SIAA) says that the import of edible oils had jumped sharply to an all-time high of 165 lakh tonnes in the marketing season 2023-24.

During the Rabi season, mustard is mainly produced in the category of oilseed crops, while peanuts and linseed are also produced in small quantities. Sowing is lagging behind in Rajasthan, the major producer of mustard, because the weather there is not completely favorable for its sowing. Apart from this, mustard is also produced in large quantities in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Bengal and Bihar. The arrival of its new crop will start in February-March 2025.