Introduction:
Linseed is a cool temperate annual herb with erect, slender stems, 60-80 cm tall.Linseed (Linum uaitdissimum L.) belongs to the family Linaceae and the genus Linum which has 100 species. It has been grown from ancient times for fiber (flax) and for its seed which is rich in oil.

CROPPING SEASON:
Linseed is cultivated as a Rabi crop in India. Main period for sowing linseed is October to November, depending upon the cessation of the rains. February to April is the harvesting period of it. Linseed is mostly grown in marginal and sub-marginal rain fed soils, with a heavy texture and good water retention capacity, as a pure crop, intercrop and Uteracrop. Sowing of linseed is done 10-12 days after harvesting rice, after manual weeding under clear weather conditions, but before the end of October.

The linseed crop starts maturing by the mid. of February, depending on winter spread and sowing time. Plants turn golden yellow when the crop is mature and ready for harvesting.

VARIETIES: In India, the linseed varieties are of two types
(i) peninsular types which have deep root-system.
(ii) Alluvial types which are shallow-rooted and are characterized by profuse tillering. Varieties differ in maturity, growth habit, and seed size and colour.

GROWING AREAS: Linseed is extensively grown in the countries of the temperate zone as well as in those of the tropical zone. The major linseed-growing countries are Argentina, the USSR, India, the USA, Canada, Pakistan and Australia. India occupies the third rank among the linseed-producing countries. Australia and Canada have the highest productivity of about 7 quintals per hectare, whereas India averages 255 kg per ha. This yield is the lowest in the world.

In India, Madhya Pradesh leads in yield and acreage, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Karnataka and West Bengal also grow linseed in large areas. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh together contribute to the national linseed production to the extent of about 70 per cent. In Madhya Pradesh linseed is cultivated in Indore, Malwa, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Sagar; in Uttar Pradesh in Kanpur, Agra and Jhansi; and in Rajasthan in Kota.

Linseed is traded in oil markets in Indore, Kanpur, Agra, Gwalior and Kota.

Local Names of Linseed

USES: Linseed occupies a greater importance among oilseeds; owing to its various uses and special qualities. In India, it is grown mainly for seeds, used for extracting oil.

Linseed is predominantly grown as a source of oil for industrial use in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and linoleum. The oil is used commercially in the production of many things including paints, inks, varnishes and oils, those who know about cricket will know that linseed oil is used to coat cricket bats.

Linseed straw produces fibre of good quality. Linseed is used in making paper and plastics.

Linseed Oil: The oil content of the seed varies from 33 to 47 per cent. Linseed oil is used in India in the manufacture of mediums for paints, varnishes, oilcloth, linoleum, pad ink, printing inks etc and as edible oil in some areas. The oil is also used to a small extent in the soap industry and the pharmaceutical industry. The paint and allied industry is a major consumer of linseed oil in India accounting for some 70 per cent of the total consumption. Linseed oil is also used in the adulteration of mustard oil, whenever the price of the latter is high, in the same manner as castor oil is used in the adulteration of groundnut oil.

The major consumers of linseed oil in India are West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh accounting for 25 per cent of the total consumption in India.

Linseed Meal: Linseed-cake is a very good manure and animal feed. Linseed meal is the byproduct of extracting the oil from Linseed. Linseed meal is very palatable.

India’s Share in 2002 Production of Linseed Meal

DEMAND-SUPPLY:

Ø       Productionè The production of linseed in the country is almost stagnant. M.P covers mostly 31% of Linseed production in India on an average.

Ø       Importè India imports refined linseed oil mostly from Nepal and crude linseed oil from Netherlands, Germany.

Ø       Exportè India exports crude and refined linseed oil mostly to Bangladesh. In 1956-57, India exported 32,000 tonnes of linseed oil valued at Rs. 5.40 crore. The exports dropped to 7,000 tonnes in 1960-61. In 1974, 1975 and 1976, the exports were about 20,000 tonnes, 27,000 tonnes and 60,000 tonnes respectively. There after the exports started declining and in the past few years they have been of negligible value. The main reason for fall in exports is higher domestic price compared to the world price. 

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