Sesame seed crop in Saurashtra region of Gujarat has taken a major hit due to heavy rains in the past few days. Traders fear 30 to 40 per cent damage to the crop due to heavy rains in last couple of days.
Prices of sesame seed in spot market have also surged in the range Rs 50 to 60 per 20 kg within two days time following reports of crop loss.
Saurashtra is a key sesame growing area in Gujarat and it accounts for almost 60 per cent of total sesame production in Gujarat. Earlier there were estimates of around 70,000 tonnes of sesame seed production in Saurashtra region, which include major sesame growing areas like Surendranagar and Rajkot.
In the wake of heavy rains in Saurasthra, traders expect 30 to 40 per cent demage to the crop.
"The sesame production is likely to decline by around 10,000 tonnes due to heavy rains," said Bipin Patel of TR Sons, Saurashtra-based supplier of sesame seed. However, traders in Northern parts of Gujarat expect the sesame seed output in Saurashtra region to hover around 50,000 tonnes this year as against the estimated production of 70,000 tonnes.
Surendranagar, Rajkot and Junagadh are the main sesame seed growing districts in Saurashtra region. In last couple of days, rains have wreaked havoc in Surendranagar district, which has, so far, brought 62,300 hectares land under sesame seed cultivation, the highest in any parts of the state. On Wednesday, Lakhpat and Patdi talukas of the districts saw 635mm rainfall during the short period of 24 hours.
Similarly, sesame acreage in Rajkot and Junagadh as on 15 September is 26,300 hectares and 3,100 hectares respectively. Interestingly, area under sesame seed crop has declined this year to 2,39,700 hectares, which was at 3,02,900 in 2007-08. This will further put pressure on prices in the spot market.
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Sesame seed prices in spot markets have surged by around Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 per 20 kg on concerns of crop damage. The price today increased to 1,300 per 20 kg in local markets.
The sesame seed prices had peaked to Rs. 1,400 per 20 kg but they dipped to Rs. 1,200 per 20 kg as fresh arrivals hit the markets in some parts of the state. However, crops loss fear major sesame seed growing area has agained pushed up the prices.