A favourable policy, coupled with continuous monitoring of fund allocation from the government, could create the second green revolution through a dramatic spurt in oilseed production in India’s northeastern states, said Atul Chaturvedi, CEO of Adani Wilmar Ltd, one of India’s leading producers of edible oil under the ‘Fortune’ brand.
The agro climatic condition of the eastern sector is very conducive for expanding agriculture. Hence, India needs to get out of the cycle of wheat-rice in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
While responding to an email on the recent directive by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to the Ministry of Agriculture, Chaturvedi said that the eastern part of our country has been singled out for increasing oilseed cultivation. But, the government can ensure procurement of oilseeds in line with wheat and rice to encourage farmers to bring more area under oilseeds.
There is also a need to invest in scientific research for increasing productivity. Average oilseed hovers around one tonne per hectare whereas world produces in excess of two tonnes. “If we manage to achieve world standards our dependence on imports would become negligible.” he added. The overall area under oilseeds has risen to 168.8 lakh hectares in the current kharif season as compared to 164.5 lakh hectares last year.
According to B V Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), India needs to raise oilseed output at least at 100 kgs per ha for the next five years.
R R Govindan, Vice President of Godrej Agrovet Ltd, said “Traditionally rape seed has been the oil seed popularly grown in the north east. However, there seems to be not much scope to push their productivity. What is not known widely is the suitability of this area for oilpalm which can give about 5 tonnes of oil per hectare. Hence, we must exploit this opportunity,”.