During the current Kharif season, oilseed crops across India are facing a double setback. On one hand, there has been a decline in the sown area at the national level, and on the other hand, heavy rainfall and flooding in major producing states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have raised serious concerns about crop damage. These factors combined may significantly impact overall production. According to data released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the total area under Kharif oilseed crops has decreased to 185.17 lakh hectares by August this year, compared to 190.27 lakh hectares during the same period last year � a reduction of 5.10 lakh hectares. The sown area is also 9.46 lakh hectares less than the five-year average of 194.63 lakh hectares. Major food oilseed crops � soybean, groundnut (peanut), and sesame � have all reported a decline in acreage. Sunflower cultivation has also shrunk, while castor seed, an industrial oilseed crop, is the only one to record an increase in sown area. Here are the key figures: Soybean area dropped from 125.50 to 120.28 lakh hectares Sesame (til) area declined from 10.55 to 9.97 lakh hectares Groundnut area decreased slightly from 46.98 to 46.76 lakh hectares Sunflower acreage fell from 70,000 to 64,000 hectares Only castor seed saw an increase from 6.07 to 7.04 lakh hectares Gujarat, the leading producer of groundnut and castor, has been witnessing heavy rainfall for the past few days. More rain is expected in the coming week, which may worsen the damage to standing crops due to waterlogging. In Rajasthan, crops have already been damaged due to flood-like conditions, while Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are also facing adverse weather conditions. Since these four states collectively account for over 80% of India�s Kharif oilseed production, any damage here is likely to impact national output levels significantly. The ongoing Kharif season is proving challenging for oilseed cultivation in India. The combination of reduced sowing area and adverse weather conditions could lead to a notable drop in production. This not only poses financial risks for farmers but could also affect the availability and pricing of edible oils in the domestic market.