Kharif oilseeds production higher by 2 million tonnes: COOIT

New Delhi, Sept 10 (UNI) Reducing dependence on imports, India's oilseeds production in the Kharif crop is expected to be higher by two million tonnes at 15.15 million tonnes as compared to last year's kharif production, according to the first estimates released by the Central Organisation of Oil Industry and Trade (COOIT) here today.

The apex body of trade organisations said that production of soybean is estimated at a record 8.6 million tonnes against 7.66 million tonnes during the same season last year.

The groundnut output is estimated at 4.6 million tonnes, up from 3.5 million tonnes, it said.

The cultivable area under oilseeds was estimated at 17.19 million hectares compared to 15.95 million hectares in 2006.

India, the world's second largest edible oil importer after China, buys palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia and soya oil from Brazil and Argentina.

The other Kharif oilseeds crops include sunflower, sesame, niger and castor seeds, the COOIT added.

UNI