A parasitic weed, Orobanche aegyptiaca, is severely impacting India's mustard crop, the nation's largest indigenous edible oil source. This weed attaches to mustard plant roots, draining nutrients and significantly reducing seed yields. Farmers in key growing regions like Rajasthan and Haryana are experiencing drastically lower harvests, leading some to reduce mustard cultivation and switch to other crops like wheat, chickpea, and barley despite following recommended herbicide treatments.