Ahmedabad: State govt has approved an expenditure of Rs 10 crore for a centre of excellence (CoE) for oilseeds at Junagadh Agricultural University to strengthen the state’s oilseeds research infrastructure and efforts to improve crop productivity. A notification in this regard was issued this month by the agriculture, farmers’ welfare and cooperation department.The project involves the construction of a dedicated facility at the university’s main oilseeds research centre in Junagadh. The proposed centre could help consolidate oilseeds research and provide a stronger institutional base for developing and disseminating improved cultivation practices. “Better coordination between researchers and farmers, improved agronomic practices and the adoption of suitable technologies could potentially help raise yields, reduce crop losses and improve the profitability of oilseed cultivation,” the notification states.Gujarat is a major producer of groundnut, one of India’s principal edible oilseeds. The state accounts for more than 50% of the country’s groundnut production. Improvement in seed quality, crop management and farm-level productivity could have a wider bearing on the state’s agricultural output and the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported edible oils.Some of the other oilseeds that are widely grown in the state are castor seed, sesame, mustard and cottonseed. The state also accounts for 25% of the country’s cottonseed production. The approval for CoE also lays down conditions for timely completion of the construction project, including adherence to prescribed procurement procedures, financial discipline, and statutory clearances.
