Mustard output set to rebound on higher acreage

After a drop in output over the past two years, production of mustard is seen rebounding this year on the back of higher rabi acreage

Trade sources estimate the crop to be between 6.5 and 7 million tonnes, mainly on account of the higher acreage and prevailing weather conditions in the major producing States of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

Mustard planting is almost complete and per the latest data from the Agriculture Ministry, the rabi acreage under the oilseed has registered a 10.1 per cent increase over last year

The major increase in absolute acreage has come about in Rajasthan, where farmers have planted the oilseed on an additional 3.55 lakh ha or 14.53 per cent more compared to last year. In smaller states such as Jharkhand, the acreage has more than doubled over last year.

However, in Haryana, acreage has declined by about 7.41 per cent over last year.

Officials at the Bharatpur-based Directorate of Rapeseed and Mustard Research (DRMR) attributed the increase in acreage to the higher prices that mustard fetched last season. Mustard fetched as much as ₹5,000 per quintal last year mainly on account of the lower output.

Trade expects 7 mt

“The crop is currently in the flowering stages and the prevailing weather conditions have been supportive. There has been no incidence of pests or diseases reported so far. The crop prospects were looking better on higher area coverage this year,” an official said.

Considering an average yield of 1,000 kg per hectare, the mustard crop size should be around 7 million tonnes this year, trade sources said.

The Agriculture Ministry has set a production target of 8.5 million tonnes for the current year, while production stood at 6.82 million tonnes last year. A survey of the standing crop is about to begin in most of the growing regions.

“The crop prospects will be known after the crop survey. But there has been an increase in the sowing areas, which will lead to higher production. But we can’t say how much the production will be. On the price side, if there is an increase in the supplies, mustard oil will not command higher premium over other edible oils,” said Govind G Patel, an expert on edible oils. DRMR officials said a clearer picture on output will emerge by mid-February, whereas the harvest is likely to start from end-February. Bulk arrivals from Rajasthan were expected by late February or early March