Context: A new yellow revolution has finally taken off, as farmers expand the area under the crop by a quarter, conjuring up visions of endless mustard fields — a popular Bollywood staple.
Yellow Revolution

• The revolution launched in 1986- 1987.
• Aim: To increase the production of edible oil, especially mustard and sesame seeds to achieve self-reliance.
• Yellow Revolution targets nine oilseeds that are groundnut, mustard, soybean, safflower, sesame, sunflower, niger, linseed and castor.
• India came up with the Oil Technological Mission in 1986 to ensure success for yellow revolution.

Features of the Yellow Revolution
Farmers were given facilities like fertilizers and pesticides for the crops, as well as irrigation etc.

• Other facilities included the transportation facility and storage. This was required to make the revolution successful. 
• Boards such as the National Dairy Board (NDB) were given many important responsibilities to enhance the production of oilseed.
• The NDB took the responsibility to increase the production of groundnut oil in Gujarat.
• National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board was setup to enhance the production of oilseeds in other areas as well. 
• Oilseeds Production Trust came in India to boost the production of the four oilseeds, mainly, mustard, groundnut, soybean, and sunflower.

Impact of Yellow Revolution

• The Yellow revolution had the implantation of hybrid mustard and sesame seeds which significantly increased the production of edible oil.
• There was use of improved technology for oil production.
• The Revolution gave rise to a new era with blooming sunflowers in the state of Punjab.

Challenges to oilseed production in India

• In the current situation or period it's very difficult to expand the cultivation area. Because of which there is a shortage in edible oil.
• It is difficult to increase production of oilseeds because there are several constraints with these crops. Ex. lack of awareness and change in cropping pattern leading to significant decrease in area under oilseeds production.
• Production also decreases because oilseeds are more prone to pests and disease. Ex. white rust” pests
• Because of the unhealthy environment, unhealthy crops are being produced which leads to decrease in production of oilseeds.

About Mustard

• The mustard plant is an important oilseed crop of India.
• Mustard seed is used as a spice.
• Mustard seeds are a rich source of oil and protein.
• Mature mustard plants grow into shrubs.

Cultivation

• Mustard seeds generally take eight to ten days to germinate if placed under the proper conditions.
• Yellow mustard has a plant maturity of 85 to 90 days.

Climatic Conditions

• Mustard grows well in temperate regions.
• It requires temperatures between 10°C to 25°C.
• The mustard crop is produced in the areas receiving 625 -1000 mm annual rainfall.
• Mustard farm does not tolerate freeze, so it requires a clear sky with frost-free conditions.

Soil Requirements

• Mustard plantations relatively require moist soil.
• It can be raised in wide varieties of soils that range from light to heavy loamy soils.