Mustard oil output seen rising on higher MSP

Chandigarh: Domestic output of mustard oil could be 10-12% higher than a year ago as more farmers have returned to the crop this season, drawn by higher minimum support price (MSP) and better seeds, according to industry executives.

"Mustard oil output is likely to increase by 10-12% over last year as chilly weather is highly favourable and acreage is also set to increase by over 10% this season," said Umesh Verma, director of Puri Oil Mills Ltd, the company that manufactures P Mark Mustard Oil. In the current sowing season for mustard, which began in October, acreage under the crop is expected to be 8-10% higher as a large number of farmers who had earlier switched from cultivating mustard to lentils due to drought, have taken up the crop again.