Mustard seed production to rise 29 pc at 109.5 lt in Rabi 2021-22: COOIT

The Central Organisation for Oil Industry & Trade (COOIT) on March 14 released the production estimate of mustard seeds for the 2021-22 crop year at an all-time high of 109.50 lakh tonnes (lt), up 29 per cent from the previous year.

The output of mustard seeds, which is grown in Rabi season, stood at 85 lt in the previous year. 

The COOIT finalized the estimates during its annual conference held at Bharatpur in Rajasthan on 12-13 March. The 42nd All India Rabi Seminar on 'Oilseeds, Oil Trade & Industry' was attended by several State Ministers, government officials, farm scientists, Industry leaders, and progressive farmers. It was hosted by the Bharatpur Oil Millers’ Association (BOMA). 

The area under coverage has been pegged at 87.44 lakh hectares while the average yield is seen at 1270 kg per hectare. 

COOIT Chairman Suresh Nagpal said, “The likely rise in mustard seeds production augurs well for the country, as the domestic output of mustard oil will increase and our overall edible oils import may come down.”

"Farmers have put more area under mustard seeds crop during this Rabi season as they received better realization from their last year's crop," Nagpal added. 

Rajasthan is the largest producer of this cash crop in the country. The production here is expected to increase up to 49.50 lt during 2021-22 from 35 lt in the previous year.

In Uttar Pradesh, production is likely to increase from 13.5 lt to 17 lt, that in Madhya Pradesh from 8.5 lt to 12.5 lt, Punjab and Haryana from 9.5 lt to 11.5 lt and Gujarat from 4 lt to 6.5 lt. The output in West Bengal, eastern India and other states is likely to remain the same at 14.5 lt.

India imports about 60-65 per cent of its total domestic demand for edible oils. In the 2020-21 oil year (November-October), the country's imports remained stable at 130 lt. However, in value terms, imports touched Rs 1.17 lakh crore from nearly Rs 72,000 crore the previous year. 

During the conference, the delegates deliberated on various challenges faced by the Indian edible oil industry. The need to increase domestic production of mustard seeds, which has around 38-43 per cent oil content, was emphasized as this would not only cut India’s edible oil import but also help small millers in the utilization of their installed capacities.