 "Gujarat sees higher sowing of onion, garlic, cumin")
Tempted by their higher price in the retail market and better export potential, Gujarat’s farmers have increased sowing of onion, garlic and cumin. The sowing area of these crops has exceeding average total sowing in the past three years.
As on December 16, onion sowing was done in 65,500 hectares against a total sowing (average of three years) of 53,600 hectares. In the same period last year, the sowing was in just 10,400 hectares.
Ditto with mustard, cumin and garlic whose sowing exceeded the average sowing in the previous three seasons. Sowing for mustard was done in 277,400 hectares, which is 19 per cent higher than the average of the total sowing in the past three years, while for cumin it was 397,300 hectares (14 per cent) and for garlic it was 38,400 hectares (11 per cent). The average of the total sowing for mustard, cumin and garlic in the past three years was 232,200 hectares, 349,000 hectares, and 34,500 hectares, respectively.
During the same period last year, sowing area for mustard was 194,600 hectares, while for cumin it was 263,500 hectares and for garlic it was 7,400 hectares. Experts believe higher sowing in onion this year was mainly due to higher price the commodity fetched in the retail market, while for cumin, garlic and mustard, there was strong export demand. The retail price of onion had touched Rs 90-100 per kg mark earlier this year in many parts of the country.
“Because of higher prices onion in retail market and also in export market, farmers have been tempted to go in for onion cultivation. They anticipate better prices this year. Also, because of the Centre’s export policy with regard to onion, garlic and cumin farmers are expecting better returns,” said A M Sheikh, vice-chancellor of Anand Agriculture University.
Similar was the opinion of A R Pathak, vice-chancellor, Navasari Agriculture University. “Higher prices of onion and garlic has definitely impacted this year’s rabi sowing pattern. Because of the price factor, more farmers in the state are going in for crops like onion, garlic and cumin,” Pathak said. He, however, expressed caution over excess output against demand which could bring down the prices.
Talking about the outlook on the present rabi season in the state, Pathak said: “Because of the late monsoon, there is good amount of moisture in the soil. Plus the winter has been good. This is a very conducive environment for the rabi crops. Also, the winter chill will help in flowering of mango fruit.”
Sheikh said, “The late withdrawal of monsoon and timely onset of winter is good for wheat, castor, chick pea and other rabi crops. Also, due to late rains, there is ample of water in the reservoirs for irrigation purpose. Thus overall the outlook for this years rabi season is very good.”
According to the state agriculture department, sowing for rabi season 2013-14 as on December 16 was complete in 3.25 million hectares against 2.17 million hectares in the corresponding period last year. This means, against the total sowing area of 3.57 million hectares (average of the last three years), sowing has been done in 91 per cent area.
As on December 16, onion sowing was done in 65,500 hectares against a total sowing (average of three years) of 53,600 hectares. In the same period last year, the sowing was in just 10,400 hectares.
Ditto with mustard, cumin and garlic whose sowing exceeded the average sowing in the previous three seasons. Sowing for mustard was done in 277,400 hectares, which is 19 per cent higher than the average of the total sowing in the past three years, while for cumin it was 397,300 hectares (14 per cent) and for garlic it was 38,400 hectares (11 per cent). The average of the total sowing for mustard, cumin and garlic in the past three years was 232,200 hectares, 349,000 hectares, and 34,500 hectares, respectively.
During the same period last year, sowing area for mustard was 194,600 hectares, while for cumin it was 263,500 hectares and for garlic it was 7,400 hectares. Experts believe higher sowing in onion this year was mainly due to higher price the commodity fetched in the retail market, while for cumin, garlic and mustard, there was strong export demand. The retail price of onion had touched Rs 90-100 per kg mark earlier this year in many parts of the country.
“Because of higher prices onion in retail market and also in export market, farmers have been tempted to go in for onion cultivation. They anticipate better prices this year. Also, because of the Centre’s export policy with regard to onion, garlic and cumin farmers are expecting better returns,” said A M Sheikh, vice-chancellor of Anand Agriculture University.
Similar was the opinion of A R Pathak, vice-chancellor, Navasari Agriculture University. “Higher prices of onion and garlic has definitely impacted this year’s rabi sowing pattern. Because of the price factor, more farmers in the state are going in for crops like onion, garlic and cumin,” Pathak said. He, however, expressed caution over excess output against demand which could bring down the prices.
Talking about the outlook on the present rabi season in the state, Pathak said: “Because of the late monsoon, there is good amount of moisture in the soil. Plus the winter has been good. This is a very conducive environment for the rabi crops. Also, the winter chill will help in flowering of mango fruit.”
Sheikh said, “The late withdrawal of monsoon and timely onset of winter is good for wheat, castor, chick pea and other rabi crops. Also, due to late rains, there is ample of water in the reservoirs for irrigation purpose. Thus overall the outlook for this years rabi season is very good.”
According to the state agriculture department, sowing for rabi season 2013-14 as on December 16 was complete in 3.25 million hectares against 2.17 million hectares in the corresponding period last year. This means, against the total sowing area of 3.57 million hectares (average of the last three years), sowing has been done in 91 per cent area.