Abstract
Minor oilseeds (castor, sunflower, niger, safflower and linseed) contributed 4.6%-6.0% and 4.8%-6.2% to the total acreage and production of oilseeds during 2019-20 to 2024-25 and largely grown under rainfed production system except sunflower. The present paper reviews growth of minor oilseeds during 1966-67/1970-71 to 2024-25, seed production chain in the current decade and assesses the seed requirement of minor oilseeds. Sunflower and niger registered substantial reduction of 17.4% and 25.7%, respectively, in acreage during 2024-25 over that of 2019-20 but high seed yield of 30.4% (sunflower) and 30.0% (niger). Safflower had increased acreage (23.1%) but reduced production (2.3%) and yield (8.9%). The compound annual growth rate during 1966-67 to 2024-25 of castor was 1.51%, 4.84% and 3.29% for acreage, production and yield, respectively. The corresponding values were- 2.58%, -1.15% and 1.48% for niger; -3.35%,-0.87% and 2.80% for safflower and -3.63%, -1.43% and 2.30% for linseed. Sunflower during 1970-71 to 2024-25 had positive CAGR for acreage (0.84%), production (2.02%) and yield (1.13%). A total of 82 varieties of minor oilseeds was released and notified during 2020-25. Availability of breeder, foundation and certified/quality seed was, by and large, higher than requirement during the period of analysis. Considering declining acreage of minor oilseeds during the first five years of the current decade and low seed requirement, indents for breeder seed should be judiciously placed, varietal mismatches in the breeder seed production should be reduced and proper storage protocol for breeder seed developed for minor oilseeds as they are small seeded having low seed rate and high seed multiplication ratio. Requirement of breeder seed to achieve the requisite crop specific seed replacement rate during 2029-30 was also projected.