Enhancing production and productivity of oilseed Brassica: research need for 21st century

Abstract

India is one of the largest cultivators of oilseeds crop
Per capita consumption of vegetable oils has
increased from 6.2 kg/year in 1986-87 to 14.2 kg/
year during 2012-13 this eventually pushes the
demand for oil significantly. Rapeseed-mustard is
the third most important source of edible oil after
soybean and oil palm. In India, it is commonly
referred to as Sarson. It is an important cooking
medium and dietary fat of the majority of northern,
north-western, central, eastern and north-eastern
states of India. It is also the most common medium
of pickling and food preservation. Domestic
production of edible oil has remained almost stagnant
during last five years oilseed production in the
country is facing several challenges related to biotic
as well as abiotic stresses, natural resources, climate
change and fragmented land holdings.