Right practices can boost average mustard yields by 35 per cent: SEA Study

The average mustard yield can jump by 35 per cent over five years even with the currently available seeds if the ideal agronomic practices are adopted, a study conducted by the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) has found, amid a raging debate over the yield potential of genetically modified mustard against the existing varieties.

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SEA, the premier association of domestic oilseed extractors, conducted the pilot project in association with Solidaridad Network, an international civil society organisation working to facilitate the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and profitable supply chains.

Started in 2020-21 with 400 farms in five districts of Rajasthan, the project was gradually scaled up to cover other major mustard-producing states. It was conducted in around 3,500 model farms spread across five states involving more than 125,000 farmers.

The study found a 35 per cent increase in the average yield of mustard over five years from 1,787 kilogrammes to 2,414.8 kilogrammes in the model farms as compared to the regular ones.