A delay in monsoon has forced farmers to postpone planting of groundnut by a week in the largest oilseed producing state of Gujarat.
"Farmers have not started planting groundnut as monsoon has not yet commenced in the state," leading edible oil expert and former president of Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors Association G G Patel told PTI.
The sowing of groundnut in the Kharif season normally begins from June 20. However, planting may start from June 28 if it rains in time, he said.
"At least four spells of rains are required during the sowing period. If it rains in time, then area under the crop may increase slightly, otherwise there may be some decline," Patel explained.
It takes 10-12 days to complete the sowing if it is backed by timely shower, he said.
If it starts raining by the first week of July, farmers can sow groundnut without having to face any adverse effect on yield, he said.
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"The good thing is that we received rain in the whole of coastal areas yesterday. Weather seems to be conducive and we may get the rain in other parts of the state in the next two days," Patel said.
Areas under groundnut, a major oilseed crop, had touched 52.89 lakh hectares across the country in the Kharif season last year, of which Gujarat accounted for 18 lakh hectares.