Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that due to delayed rains sowing of oilseeds has registered a decrease of 20 lakh hectare as compared to last year. However, due to recent rains, hope of sowing coverage for oilseeds crops during rabi sowing has been raised. He further said that cultivation of rapeseeds/mustard is more beneficial than wheat in rain fed areas in northeastern states like Assam, Chattisgarh, Eastern UP and Bihar where a large area remains unutilized after paddy crop. Similarly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra crops of linseed and safflower can be cultivated after kharif sowing.
Shri Singh further said that in northern States like Haryana, Punjab, Western UP and Bihar there is good potential for sunflower crop after rabi sowing. During rabi crop area under cultivation of groundnut can be increased in States of Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Minister further added that oilseeds crops can be cultivated very easily as an inter crop. This will not only increase farmers' income but also raise their socio-economic level and will lead to less dependence on import of edible oil.
Shri Singh added that an expert committee has expressed potential for cultivation of oil palm in northeastern states and we have to make efforts for its exploitation. He urged all participant States to send proposal for rabi sowing so that necessary action for providing additional resources in case of urgency may be taken by Ministry of Agriculture.
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