Mustard is India's largest indigenous edible oil crop , grown on ~9 million hectares.
Key mustard-producing states: Rajasthan, UP, MP, Haryana, West Bengal .
Orobanche seeds can remain viable in soil for up to 20 years , causing persistent infestation.
India imports ~16 million tonnes of edible oils annually, highlighting the strategic importance of domestic mustard production.
Yield losses exacerbate edible oil import dependency , a key concern for national food security.
Solutions include Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) hybrids and Genetically Modified (GM) mustard varieties.
The total indigenous edible oil production is about 10.5-10.6 million tonnes , with mustard contributing over 4 million tonnes .
Month: Current Affairs - January 14, 2026
Category: Agriculture-FoodSecurity