Area under mustard up 25%

In the wake of increased acreage and higher prices, mustardseed production in the country is all set to surge during 2008-09. Industry players estimate that mustardseed production this year may be around 7 million tonnes across the country.

As per the data available with the Union agriculture ministry, the area under mustardseed cultivation in 2007-08 stood at 5.7 million hectares. “The mustardseed acreage during 2008-09 is estimated to be higher by around 25 per cent across the country which will push up mustard output this year,” said Dinesh Trivedi, a mustard trader based in Deesa of North Gujarat. Apart from potatoes, Deesa is also known as a major mustard growing area in Gujarat.

“Industry estimates suggest that mustard production is likely to be around 7 million tonnes in 2008-09, which was nearly 5.80 million tonnes in 2007-08,” he added.

The prices of mustardseed in the spot markets had touched a level of Rs 550-640 per 20 kg this year due to lower production compared to 2006-07, which saw the total output of 7.44 million tonnes.

The area under mustard during 2006-07 was also higher at 6.79 million hectares, said an Ahmedabad-based mustard trader.

“Many farmers in North Gujarat turned to mustardseed cultivation in the wake of higher prices. Also, farmers in many northern parts of the state had to incur heavy losses amid bumper production of potatoes this year. Hundreds of farmers in Gujarat are said to have switched over to mustard crop from potatoes. This has further resulted into an increase in mustard acreage in Gujarat,” Trivedi added.

Gujarat witnessed 4.5 million tonnes of mustardseed production last year. Though Gujarat’s share in country’s total output is comparatively less, the per hectare yield is quite higher. However, the marketmen also expressed concern over foggy weather conditions. “We will be able to have clear picture of the production in the second half of January. If foggy weather conditions persist, it may cause damage to the production,” traders said.