Mustardseed yield may rise 4%

Intermittent rainfall during rabi sowing season is likely to help mustardseed growers to harvest four per cent higher yield this year.

According to a survey conducted by the Mumbai-based trade body the Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA), mustardseed yield is estimated to increase to 945 per kg/hectare (ha) this season as against 907 per kg/ha during the rabi harvesting season last year. Barring Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, yield in all major mustardseed producing states is forecast to rise during the current season.

In Gujarat, however, per hectare mustardseed output is estimated to decline from 1,510 kg last year to 1,475 kg this year. The combined per hectare output in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is also estimated to decline to 700 kg this season from 800 kg previous season.

SEA said the area under mustardseed crop this season rose sharply to 7.25 million ha as against 6.53 million ha which is likely to fetch higher output this year. Total output this season is forecast to rise to 6.85 million tonnes as against 5.92 million tonnes in the rabi season last year.

This year due to late sowing, the maturity of the crop is delayed by two to three weeks. Also due to rain in November-December, fallow land of over 500,000 ha was covered under Taramira, a short crop of 60 days in Rajasthan, compared to less than 100,000 ha in the previous year.

Meanwhile, weather in the next three-four weeks will play a major role in deciding the yield. In the last few days weather has changed and the day temperature has increased and if this continues, it would reduce the overall yield of the crop. However, if rain falls during this period coupled with low temperature, it would be greatly beneficial to the standing crops. According to the weather forecast, mild showers are expected in northern India and also some parts of the Rajasthan in the next few days.