Oilseeds scenario of India
India is next to the USA, China, and Brazil in vegetable oils production. Areas and production of oilseeds crops is next to food crops. India accounts for 14% of the world’s oilseeds area, 8% of the world’s oilseeds output, and 11% of the world’s edible oils consumption. India grows nine field oilseeds crops, of which linseed and castor are non-edible. In the edible oilseeds crops, soybean has the highest acreage followed by rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, sesame, safflower, sunflower, and niger. India is not self-sufficient in oilseeds production, and 50% of the requirement of vegetable oils is met through imports. Of the total import, about 60% is palm oil. Among the states, Madhya Pradesh ranks at the top in the area and production of vegetables oils, followed by Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Oilseeds occupy about 13-14% of the gross cropped area and account for nearly 1.4% to gross national product and 7% of the value of all agricultural commodities.