CAU takes the lead toward producing edible oil on industrial scale
Source: The Sangai Express / Ng Liklaileima Arambam

Imphal, September 03 2022: Central Agricultural University (CAU), Iroisemba is playing a big role to reduce depen-dency on other States for edible oil by making the farmers of the State acquaint-ed with edible oil production.

CAU, Iroisemba has been providing mustard seeds, fertilizers, bee boxes to the farmers in Manipur at free of cost under NEH component of AICRP on Rapeseed-Mustard Scheme of All India Coordinated Research Project on Rapeseed-Mustard which was launched in 2018-19 .

Under this scheme, 104 farmers cultivated mustards in 91 paris of paddy land in four districts of Manipur viz; Kakching, Churachandpur, Thoubal and Imphal West. The coverage of the scheme continues to expand exponentially every year as mustards were planted in 1032 paris of paddy land in seven districts - Imphal East, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Chandel and Churachandpur in 2021-22 by 1140 farmers.

CAU takes the lead toward producing edible oil on industrial scale

About 12 kilograms of good quality mustard seeds such as NRCHB101, DRMR 150-35, TS-38, TS-67, TS-46, NRCYS-05-2 can be sown in one pari of land and the same can yield 600-1200 kgs.

CAU is targeting to produce over 10 lakh kgs of mustard seeds in 2022-23 under the ambitious scheme.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Plant Breeding Scientist of CAU, Dr Pushparani Senjam said that the scheme is also implemented in Arunachal Pra- desh and Meghalaya.

Saying that more farmers and paddy lands would be engaged in the cultivation of mustards in the coming years, she said the scheme will also be implemented in Tripura shortly.

Dr Pushparani also said that October-November is the best period to sow mustard seeds.

However, most of the farmers in Manipur plant mustard seeds in November after harvesting rice, she said and added that the farmers must plant mustard seeds before December 10 for bountiful harvest.

She also said that the mustard seeds must be planted when there is enough moisture in the paddy field after harvesting paddy before initiating the tilling process.

Dr Pushparani stated that 88 kg of urea, 135 kg of Super and 33 kg of Potash must be sprayed in different phases of planting mustards (for seeds) over a land measuring one pari.

She said that Poirou Pat, which is being used by farmers of Andro and Hui-kap, produces the maximum quantity of mustard seeds in Manipur under the scheme.

She said that 100 kgs of mustard seeds can produce about 38-40 litres of edible oil and the leftovers can be used as feed for fishes and cattle.

She further said that CAU purchased mustard seeds from the farmers at Rs 60 per kg for manufacturing edible oil but the rate is higher (Rs 85 per kilo) if the purpose is for seed productions.

Dr Pushparani appealed to farmers who want to plant mustard seeds to contact the Director of CAU within the next month.

The news story is written under the Media Fellowship Programme of Public Relation and Media Management Cell, CAU on Scientific Journalism in Application of Science in Agriculture.

For further information, one may contact Dr Indira Thounaojam through [email protected] .