India's top mustard producing Rajasthan state estimates the oilseed's output to rise 21.4% to 3.5 million tons in the planting season that began October 1, from a low base last year when hail and rains damaged crops.
Farmers in the state have sown mustard on 2.4 million hectares, according to the first crop estimates by the Rajasthan government. Harvesting will start in March.
Temperatures in parts of Rajasthan have begun to dip and farmers are hoping for rain soon. Cold weather is important to the growth of mustard plants, the main winter oilseed with the highest oil content.