The country’s rapeseed-mustard crop is likely to provisionally increase 19 per cent to 85 lakh tonnes (lt) for 2018-19 on improved acreage and higher yields from 71.5 lt reported in the previous year.
The latest provisional crop estimates by the Mustard Oil Producers Association of India (MOPA) and Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) show that as on February 8, over an area of 66.36 lakh hectares, the yield is likely to be around 1,281 kg/ha against 1,120 kg/ha on 63.93 lakh hectares last year.
Sowing in the major growing regions of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh is expected to be higher at 24.78 lakh hectares (lh) and 9.30 lh, respectively, as against 20.89 lh and 9 lh respectively reported last year. The yield in these States is likely to improve to 1,360 kg/ha and 1,600 kg/ha respectively.
Rajasthan will be the highest producer of the oilseed crop with 33.75 lt, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 14.90 lt, the estimates revealed.
Madhya Pradesh is expected to have production of about 10.15 lt (8.25 lt). Acreage in the State has improved marginally to 7.78 lh as against last year’s 7.58 lh. The yield has jumped to 1,305 kg/ha as against 1,090 kg/ha reported last year.
According to the trade bodies, so far, about 20-25 per cent of the overall crop has been harvested and the entire harvest is expected to be completed in the next 3-4 weeks.