The AICRP on linseed and sesame was established at main campus of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola in April 1985. Subsequently this project was shifted to College of Agriculture, Nagpur from 1987 and AICRP on Rapeseed Mustard in June 2009. The work on the improvement of linseed in the Vidarbha region was started in the section of Economic Botanist, Nagpur in 1924-25 and one high yielding strain, EB-3 with higher oil content was developed. From 1934 to 1944, the work on this crop was done under the Oilseeds Research Scheme, Central Provinces, Nagpur and two improved strains, No-3 and No-55 possessing higher yield and higher oil content were developed. These strains though well suited to Vidarbha conditions were not resistant to rust. Attempts were, therefore made to develop rust resistant, high- yielding strains such as IP-135 and IP-328. As a result of hybridization and subsequent selection, one improved strain, C-429 was developed and released for cultivation in 1958. It combines high yield and high oil content No.-3 with rust resistance of IP-135. After the establishment of All India Coordinated Research Project on Linseed and Sesame in 1987 at Collage of Agriculture, Nagpur.

Linseed is an important oilseed crop in India and occupies 468.0 thousand ha with productivity of 349 kg/ha. In Maharashtra linseed is grown on 68.0 thousand ha with productivity of 279 kg/ha (Table-1.1). The cultivation of linseed is mainly concentrated in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. The productivity in Maharashtra is low due to cultivation of linseed under no input condition, utera system of cropping and major linseed growing areas under moisture stress situation. However, there is an increase in Area (+25.93%), Production (+58.33%) and Productivity (+25.68) over 2002-2003 with the release of Linseed variety NL-97 in 1999.

Every part of the linseed plant is utilized commercially either directly or after processing. The linseed oil primarily goes to industries for manufacture of paints, varnish, oil cloth, linoleum and pad ink. The oil cake is a good for milch cattle. The stem yields fiber of good quality having high strength and durability. The woody matter and short fibers are used as a raw pulp for making paper of quality. Linseed oil possesses a very healthy fatty acid profile, particularly, Omega-3 (Alpha Linolenic Acid), richest source only in linseed (58%). ALA provides beneficial effects in numerous clinical conditions such as, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders, immune function and cancer etc.
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