Groundnut: Bumper crop on cards

KHARIF PROJECTIONS

Groundnut farmers across the country are cheering the late monsoon rains, which are likely to increase the estimated output by 10-15 per cent this year.

"As the plants are currently in the flowering stage, extra rains will add at least 15 new buds resulting in more output this year," an industry expert said.

The total output will also be helped by the 10 per cent increase in crop area. But the higher anticipated output is expected to be offset by the approximate 5 per cent crop area loss in Gujarat and roughly 10 per crop damage reported from Karnataka due to an unknown disease. Overall, the total area under groundnut is reported at 52.76 lakh hectares this year as against 46.69 lakh hectares last year.

India's total groundnut in shell output this year is likely to surpass the benchmark of 50 lakh tonnes to settle at around 53 lakh tonnes as against the earlier industry estimate of 49 lakh tonnes.

The groundnut kernal output is also likely to shoot up to 38 lakh tonnes compared with the previous estimate of 34.30 lakh tonnes and the last season's final output of 24.50 lakh tonnes.

The total marketable surplus of this commodity could grow this year to 13.80 lakh tonnes compared with 5.80 lakh tonnes last year.

According to the Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA), a bumper output in the main crop (groundnut) and intercropping crops can be expected from the four major oilseed producing states. Groundnut is sown in June and harvested in October.

Andhra Pradesh is likely to see a record output this kharif season as the late monsoon has proved to be a boon for the overall groundnut crop in the state.

With the bumper output likely to hit the market early next month, the total groundnut oil availability may go up to 5.52 lakh tonnes this year as against 2.32 lakh tonnes last year.