What percentage of the total crop production area in India is covered by oilseeds?

The correct answer is 12.

Key Points

• 12 % of the  total crop production area in India is covered by oilseeds cultivation. 
•  India is the 4th largest oilseeds producer in the world.
• India accounts 10% of global production.
• The country produces groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesamum, niger seed, mustard and safflower oilseeds.
• Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the major oilseed growing states which contribute 76% production and 72% area coverage in the country

Additional Information

• In 2021-22, country has to import 142 lakh tonnes of edible oils at a cost of Rs 1.41 lakh crore. 
• The government focus is on increasing oilseeds production to reduce import dependency in edible oils.
• Due to renewed focus on oilseeds, area under oilseeds increased from 93.28 lakh hectares during 2021-22 to 101.47 lakh hectares this year.
• This is a quantum jump of 22.66 lakh hectares over normal sown area of 78.81 lakh hectares.