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Abstract
India is a major grower and producer of oilseeds as well as a major importer of vegetable oils ranks fourth among the countries in oil seeds economy next to USA, China and Brazil. It is estimated that nine oilseeds namely groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, soybean, sunflower, safflower, sesame, Niger, castor and linseed, accounted for an area of 23.44 million hectares with the production of 25.14 million tonnes. Out of the nine-oilseed crops grown in India, groundnut accounts for about 45 percent of the total cropped area under oilseeds and 55 percent of the total area under oilseeds production. As such, the edible oil economy in India is primarily depending on groundnut production Groundnut is called as the ‘King’ of oilseeds. It is one of the most important food and cash crops of our country. While being a valuable source of all the nutrients, it is a low-priced commodity. Groundnut is also called as wonder nut and poor men’s cashew nut. Groundnut is one of the most important cash crops of our country. It is a low-priced commodity but a valuable source of all the nutrients. Groundnut is the sixth most important oilseed crop in the world. It contains 48-50% oil and 26-28% protein, and is a rich source of dietary fibre, minerals, and vitamins. Groundnut is grown on 26.4 million ha worldwide with a total production of 37.1 million metric/ha on and an average productivity of 1.4 metric t/ha (FAO, 2003). Over 100 countries worldwide grow groundnut. Developing countries constitute 97% of the global area and 94% of the global production of this crop. The production of groundnut is concentrated in Asia and Africa (56% and 40% of the global area and 68% and 25% of the global production, respectively).