Oilseed brassica in India: Demand, supply, policy perspective and future potential

Abstract

India is the largest agrarian subcontinent supporting 26% world’s agricultural population on 12% arable land. India is also the fifth largest vegetable oil economy accounting 7.4% oilseeds, 5.8% oils and 6.1% oil meal production, and 9.3% of edible oil consumption in the world. Oilseeds are the second most important agricultural economy in India next to cereals growing at a pace of 4.1% per annum in the last three decades. Oilseed brassica shares 23.5% area and 24.2% production of total oilseeds in the country. Despite being the third largest producer (11.3%) of oilseed brassica after Canada and China in the world, India meets 57% of the domestic edible oil requirements through imports and ranked 7th largest importer of edible oils in the world. Oilseed brassica achieved significant growth in India in the past, however, the productivity levels are still low owing to large cultivation under rainfed situation, biotic and abiotic stresses, and resources crunch. It is also facing the challenges of low genotypic potential, climate change and price fluctuation. Though, it embraces the immense scope to increase the production in traditional and non-traditional areas in India with proper inputs, technological interventions, and suitable policy framework. This needs to develop strategies in a well-planned, targeted manner with multi-scientific inputs, policy interface and stable price systems to bring the desired growth in oilseeds brassica production, and to reduce the import of edible oils in the country.