India: J&K govt aims to boost oilseeds cultivation

Jammu and Kashmir, India: The promotion of oilseed farming has received the appropriate attention among the programmes that were agreed upon. According to a statement released by the J-K administration on Monday, the oilseed project sought to increase oilseed productivity and production through a variety of interventions, with a presumed annual output worth Rs 1,290 crore.

The agriculture production department’s additional chief secretary, Atal Dulloo, reiterated that the edible oil sector in Jammu and Kashmir is poised to experience significant growth.

With a project budget of Rs 31 crore, the department would carry out a comprehensive drive to encourage oilseed planting in the area.

According to the statement, this three-year project is anticipated to provide employment possibilities and support regional economic expansion as a whole.

Appropriately, the production of oilseeds is a significant area of Indian agriculture and significantly contributes to the nation’s economy.

India is one of the world’s top oilseeds producers, with an annual production of roughly 37 to 38 million metric tonnes. Despite this, China, the US, and India are the three countries that import the most vegetable oils.

Jammu and Kashmir, which is renowned for their unique agro-climatic conditions, provide a perfect setting for the production of a variety of crops, including oilseeds. Also, during the next three years, the administration plans to convert 1,40,000 present hectares of land under oilseed cultivation to 2,10,000 hectares.

Roughly 2,02,500 hectares will be used for the cultivation of mustard and rapeseed, and 75,000 hectares will be used for the cultivation of sesame.

Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Jammu, Pulwama, Reasi, Anantnag, Budgam, Rajouri, Kulgam, and Ganderbal are additional areas covered under the potential districts in addition to the 70,000 hectares, as are districts like Ramban, Bandipora, Doda, and Shopian by using fallow lands cultivable wastelands and leveraging increased cropping intensity in addition to the promotion of the intercropping system.

The Union Territory needs 14.20 lakh quintals but is only able to produce 3.36 lakh of them. Therefore, this project is essential for the food security and economic development of the area.

As part of the scheme, farmers would receive 50% assistance with a maximum subsidy of Rs 4,000 per quintal for the purchase of high-yielding rapeseed and mustard types.

Beneficiaries would also be given a cap of Rs 8,000 per quintal with a 50% subsidy in order to purchase hybrid mustard, rapeseed, and better kinds of sesame seeds.

Also, a 50% subsidy with a maximum of Rs 2,500 per quintal would be provided for production foundations and certified seeds to increase productivity and encourage area extension in order to improve the seed replacement rate of oilseeds.