Sunflower cultivation is replaced by rabi rice, government set up in 7 states
The government wants to restore sunflower cultivation in many states of the country. These states include Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisga H, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. In these states, these oilseeds are sown as a crop. In these states, there are preparations to promote sunflower cultivation instead of rabi rice. It was cultivated in a large scale in Bihar, Chhattisga H, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana this year.
The government has launched the Oil Seeds Mission, which aims to reduce the import of edible oils in the country from 57 per cent to 28 per cent by 2032. The sunflower cultivation is being promoted under this. According to one number, the country’s total edible oil imports last year with 160 million tonnes and 35 million tonnes of sunflower oil. India mainly imports sunflower oil from Ukraine.
Rabi and Zayed rice instead of sunflower
Officials say that the sunflower area in the country is much smaller than the oilseeds, but due to the processing cluster, the trend of the farmers is likely to go on. Farmers’ income is expected to increase with the creation of a cluster. If the income of the farmers increases, they will be given more priority to sunflower cultivation. Joint Director of Agriculture Kapil Dev Deepak told the ‘Financial Express’ that we want to promote sunflower cultivation instead of Zayed and Rabi rice.
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Sunflower cultivation increases in these states
Earlier, sunflower cultivation was high in many states of the country. It was grown in about 93 lakh hectares in 2010-11. But later it was faded because the farmers went towards those crops, which earned more in a short time. This trend is mainly seen in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. According to an official, sunflower hybrid seed deficiency, less money from agriculture, and more oil imports separated from its cultivation.
National Edible Oil Mission Benefits
Traditionally, oilseeds are planted during the Kharif and Rabi season. In the year 2024-25, the cultivation of some oilseed crops was recorded more than last year. The total area of peanuts, sunflower flowers and sesame cultivation is over 10 million hectares, with over 8 lakh hectares in the last year. The Ministry of Agriculture said that the edible oil mission in the country is promoting the production of oilseeds in the country, which has full potential to increase the sunflower range.
