Saurashtra sees jump in kharif crop

The Saurashtra region is jubilant over the lucrative kharif crop in 2003 on good monsoon and the prevailing high prices for agricultural produce.

After facing drought in the last three years, the region received good monsoon last year. Saurashtra's agricultural produce has increased by Rs 7,700 crore to Rs 11,750 crore this year from Rs 4,050 crore in 2002-03.

Also, compared to last year, sowing and production of groundnut, cotton and sesame seed crop have increased and the market is offering high prices for agriculture produce.

These valuations have been arrived at from figures recorded by the office of the director of agriculture department, Gujarat, as well as from auction bids for commodities from the marketing yards.

Demand from China is another factor which has lifted prices in the region. Though China is the No. 1 producer of sesame seeds among five leading countries of the world, most of the crops in that country were damaged in floods this year which has compelled it to import seeds from India.