Mustard Crop Condition Satisfactory Along with Increase in Sown Area

21-Jan-2026 02:56 PM

New Delhi. Farmers across India have shown strong interest in sowing mustard, the most important oilseed crop of the rabi season, resulting in an increase of about 0.27 million hectares, or 3.2%, in its acreage this year. The mustard crop is generally reported to be in good condition, and preparations for harvesting of early-sown crops are expected to begin from next month. Wholesale market prices of mustard have been ruling well above the government-declared minimum support price (MSP) for several months, providing attractive returns to farmers.

According to official data, mustard acreage at the national level has increased from 8.657 million hectares last year to 8.936 million hectares this year. The Ministry of Agriculture has set a production target of 13.9 million tons of mustard and a total oilseed output target of 15.07 million tons for the current 2025–26 rabi season.

Major mustard-producing states include Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar, and Assam. Weather conditions have remained normal and crop development is progressing well.

In addition to mustard, acreage under other oilseed crops has also increased during the ongoing rabi season. Groundnut area improved by 4.5% from 337,000 hectares to 352,000 hectares, sunflower sowing area jumped by 31% from 42,000 hectares to 55,000 hectares, and acreage under other oilseeds (excluding linseed and sesame) rose by 14% from 35,000 hectares to 40,000 hectares. Safflower acreage has also increased. From next month, sowing of extended rabi or summer (zaid) oilseed crops—especially groundnut and sesame—is expected to begin.