Kharif oilseed output seen up 8%

Kharif oilseed output in 2005 is likely to be 13.4 million tonne, up 8.2 per cent, the Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade said on Sunday.

Soybean, groundnut, and sunflower are likely to account for the rise. The second and final oilseed output estimate is marginally higher than the 13.04 million tonne advance estimate in September.

"Revival of monsoon in Gujarat and Rajasthan in September helped reduce moisture deficiency in oilseed crops and boosted the pod filling process," COOIT chairman Sandeep Bajoria said.

Kharif crops are sown in June-July and harvested in October-November.

Groundnut production during this season is estimated around 5.2 million tonne, up 15.7 per cent from a year ago. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are expected to register a rise in output, whereas Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu may show a fall.

Soybean production is likely to be around 6.2 million tonnes, up 5.3 per cent from the previous year. A major increase is expected to come from Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Madhya Pradesh, India's largest soy producer, is expected to witness a 1-million-tonne drop in production to 3.4 million tonne in kharif 2005.

COOIT's crop estimates also said sunflower production in the country during 2005 kharif season would be 560,000 tonne, up 14.3 per cent from a year ago.

Castorseed production is estimated at 870,000 tonne, up 8.8 per cent from last year.

The industry body estimates production of all major oilseeds cultivated during the kharif season would show an increase, barring sesame seeds and niger seeds.

Sesame seed production is expected to decline to 420,000 tonne from 470,000 tonne a year ago. Niger seed production is seen at 110,000 tonne, down from 150,000 tonne last year.