Projected Rise in Mustard Production Amid Varied Cultivation Trends
Recent agricultural data indicates a promising increase in mustard production, estimated to reach 13.14 million tonnes. This anticipated rise is largely due to the expansion in the area dedicated to mustard cultivation, which is likely to influence the edible oil market in the upcoming months.
As of December 29, the mustard cultivation area extended to 9.729 million hectares, a 2% increase from 9.563 million hectares during the same period last year. A notable 32% increase has been observed in Uttar Pradesh, where mustard cultivation now spans 0.43 million hectares. In contrast, Rajasthan, the country’s largest mustard-producing state, has seen a decrease in cultivation area by 0.16 million hectares.
States like Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Tripura have shown minimal engagement in mustard cultivation. Typically, the cultivation area in these regions does not surpass 0.1 million hectares. Conversely, in northeastern states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Manipur, mustard cultivation areas have expanded to 0.382 million hectares, a significant increase from last year’s 0.328 million hectares.
Expert Opinions and the Role of Rajasthan in Mustard Production
PK Rai, Director of the Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research in Bharatpur, highlighted the fluctuating cultivation trends in Rajasthan. Despite the record expansion in previous years, this year’s reduction in cultivated area might impact the achievement of production targets. However, the absence of diseases like white rust and minimal impact from El Nino suggests a favorable outlook if weather conditions remain conducive.
Rai emphasized Rajasthan’s critical role in national mustard production. Any variation in the state’s yield significantly affects the country’s total output. The Agriculture Ministry aims for a mustard production of 13.14 million tonnes for the 2023-24 crop year (July-June), an increase from the previous year’s 12.643 million tonnes.
In a significant shift, some Rajasthan farmers are now favoring spice crops over mustard. Bhagirath Chaudhary, Founder-Director of the South Asia Biotechnology Centre in Jodhpur, noted that the cultivation of spices like cumin, fennel, and isabgol might lead to a greater decrease in mustard cultivation than initially estimated by the government.
Despite these changes, Rampal Jat, President of the Kisan Mahapanchayat, remains hopeful about mustard yield and production. He advocates for the government’s complete procurement of mustard at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), encouraging farmers to sustain or increase mustard cultivation.