Bright yellow mustard flowers now carpet much of farmlands in rural Rajasthan, pointing to prospects of India harvesting a bumper or even record crop output in the 2010-11 (November-October) oil season.
The state is crucial for mustard seed, as it is India?s largest mustard seed crop growing state.
Bulk of India?s mustard output comes from Rajasthan and neighbouring states of Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The crop, which was sown in October-November, has now grown up to three feet with strong shoots, good foliage and flowers that douse much of Rajasthan farmlands in bright yellow colours thanks to its blooming flowers, which will lead to rich and bold seeds. No wonder, farmers in the region and industrial officials are optimistic about mustard crop prospects in 2010-11. ?Initial reports indicate a 15% increase in mustard output from last season?s,? said PK Sardar, the executive director at the Central Organisation for Oil and Industry, a grouping of vegetable oil and oilseeds firms.