Oilseeds processors look at GM crop for better yield

Oilseeds processors have gradually started realising the importance of genetically modified (GM) seeds that have done wonders in the cotton sector.

They are studying the potential of locally developed seeds to increase yield without any significant growth in area under oilseeds cultivation.

"We are not averse to the GM hybrids. Seeds such as soybean can be tried. But we should not remain dependent on multinational companies for supplying the seeds and can try locally developed seeds to give boost to oilseeds output," said Davish Jain, chairman of the Central Organisation for Oil Industry & Trade (COOIT), the apex body of the edible oils and oilseeds trade. Jain was elected as the premier of the oil body for the second time in a row. 

EYEING GREENER PASTURES World major oilseeds yields 2006-07
Country	Soybean	Rapeseed	Groundnut	Cotton	Sunflowerseed
United States	2.89	1.36	3.12	894.00	1.27
Germany	-3.71	-	-	-
Brazil	2.67	-	2.17	1197.00	-
Argentina	2.68	-	2.50	-	1.74
Paraguay	2.35	-	-	-	-
France	-	3.02	-	-	2.25
Russia	-	-	-	-	1.19
U.K.	-	3.30	-	-	-
Pakistan	-	-	-	636.00	-
China	1.74	1.74	3.04	1241.00	1.73
India	0.95	0.92	0.98	494.00	0.60
Canada	2.86	1.72	-	-	-
World	2.43	1.75	1.53	727.00	1.23
Average yields mt/hectare; for cotton kgs/hectare

COOIT has ambitiously targeted to reduce dependence on imports to 20 per cent in the years to come from 40 per cent now. The country imports about 4- 4.5 million tonnes of its total requirements of 11-12 million tonnes from Malaysia and Indonesia.

India's edible oil production was likely to decline by 5 per cent to 6.8 million tonnes in the oil year 2006-07 (November-October) compared with 7.1 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.

However, total edible oil consumption in the country is expected to increase by 2 per cent to 12.5 million tonnes in 2006-07 compared with 12.3 million tonnes in the previous year. The per capita consumption, however, is likely to remain unchanged at 11.16 kg.

"The primary need is to increase the oilseeds production to at least 40 million tonnes from the current level of around 25 million tonnes. For this, COOIT will bring together all stakeholders including the government, the industry, the input suppliers and the farmers, and facilitate large-scale interactive process to increase productivity, mainly yield, for the three major crops namely rapeseed/mustard, groundnut and soybean," Jain said.

He added that the objective of the COOIT is to increase yield and bring it closer to the world averages.

Jain further said that the oil body would also work closely with various state governments for the removal of VAT on edible oil and oilseeds, besides, pitching for uniform food laws, rules and regulations for those whose oil units are located in more than one state.

Other issues to be taken up include removal of distortions in food labelling and other such rules, bringing about an import duty regime and taking care of the interests of consumers, farmers and the industry alike.

The country's oilseed yields are around half of the world average and almost one-third of the leading producers in the world.

According to an FAO report, average yield of soybean in the country stood at 1.05 tonnes a hectare while Maharashtra proved to be the best performing state with a yield at 1.25 tonnes a hectare.

However, the world average stood at 2.27 tonnes a hectare. The average yield of mustard/rapeseed in the country was at 0.76 tonnes.

Haryana emerged as the best performer with 1.49 tonne a hectare against the world average of 1.52 tonnes. Besides, the country's average in groundnut production was at 0.94 tonnes in which Tamil Nadu recorded the highest at 1.72 tonnes against the world average of 1.40 tonne a hectare.