About

• Rapeseed-Mustard are primarily grown for their oil-rich seeds and are an essential part of India’s oilseed production system.
• In India, rapeseed-mustard is mainly grown as a Rabi (winter) crop, with planting occurring from October to November and harvesting taking place between February and March.

Climatic Conditions

• Temperature: Optimal growth occurs between 10°C and 25°C. Elevated temperatures, especially during flowering and seed development, can adversely affect yield and quality.
• Rainfall: These crops require moderate rainfall, ideally between 25 to 40 cm annually. Excessive moisture can lead to fungal diseases, while insufficient rainfall may hinder growth.
• Soil: Well-drained loamy to sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 are ideal. The crops are also adaptable to slightly saline and alkaline conditions.

Distribution in India

• India is the third-largest producer of rapeseed-mustard globally, contributing around 11% of the world’s total production.
• Rapeseed-mustard is cultivated in majority of states of the country, bulk of the production comes from Rajasthan (44.97 %), Haryana (12.44 %), Madhya Pradesh (11.32%) Uttar Pradesh (10.60 %), and West Bengal (7.53 %) during (2014-15 to 2018-19).

Why in News?

• Area sown under rapeseed and mustard has reduced in India by over 500,000 hectares in the ongoing 2024-25 Rabi season, according to official estimates. 
• Low water availability at the crucial stages of crop growth was a major factor contributing to this decrease, along with a variety of other reasons.