Rapeseed/mustard output is expected to increase by 11 per cent or 7.39 lakh tonnes to 75.90 lakh tonnes (lt) this year, despite the unusually cold weather in major growing States such as Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

According to a preliminary report from the Solvent Extractors’ Association, the overall area under rape/mustard is up by 4.04 lakh hectares (lh) at 71.30 lh.

The association expects the crop’s arrival to be delayed by 15-20 days which may increase both the yield and oil content by 1-1.5 per cent.

The survey has found the crop to be much better this year due to good subsoil moisture at the time of sowing, useful showers during January and February. There was hardly any damage to the crop because of severe cold. On the contrary, favourable weather has helped improve production, it said.

Mustard output in Rajasthan is expected to increase by 29 per cent to 36.20 lt (31.30 lt). The area under mustard has gone up to 28.14 lh from 26.74 lh.

Except for marginal fall in area under mustard in Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, the coverage has gone up in all other States. The yield, on the other hand, has increased in most States.

While the yield in Uttar Pradesh is expected to fall marginally to 1,100 kg/hectare (1,146 kg/hectare), the output may rise to nine lakh tonnes as the crop coverage has gone up to 8.17 lh (7.68 lh).

Yield in Madhya Pradesh is expected to fall by five per cent 851 kg/hectare (893 kg/hectare), but the acreage increased to 8.14 lh (8.05 lh) and the total output is estimated lower at 6.93 lt (7.19 lt). In West Bengal, the crop is expected to be lower by 17 per cent at 2.74 lt (3.3 lt) due to lower acreage and yield.

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