Edible oil industry body SEA expects bumper oilseeds production in the kharif season of the 2011-12 crop year on the back of higher acreage under cultivation.
India produced a record 31.1 million tonnes of oilseeds in the 2010-11 crop year (July-June), out of which 20.84 million tonnes of output was achieved in the kharif season.
The overall area under oilseeds has increased to 168.8 lakh hectares so far in the current kharif season, compared to 164.5 lakh hectares last year, Solvent Extractors’ Association of India President Mr Sushil Goenka said in a letter to its members.
There has been a substantial increase in the area under soyabean, sesame and castor, but the area under groundnut and sunflower has reduced significantly, Mr Goenka said.