Gujarat, one of the leading groundnut-growing states in the country, is likely to see groundnut production of more than 1.5 million tonnes this kharif season in 2010-11. This shows an increase of 200,000 tonnes as compared to 1.3 million tonnes of groundnut output during the same season in 2009-10.
According to Govindbhai Patel, a former president of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and a leading trader of edible oil, Gujarat kharif groundnut production in 2009-10 is estimated to rise by 2 lakh tonnes to 15 lakh tonnes, which hovered around 13 lakh tonnes last year.
Samir Shah of Rajmoti Oil Industry agrees, "The production is estimated to be higher this season. New crop has started arriving in the local market."
The increase in groundnut output is mainly due to sufficient rainfall and favourable weather conditions in the state, particularly in the Saurashtra region, which is known for groundnut production. The area under groundnut crop in the state also grew this season.
“Though heavy rains may affect groundnut yield in Jamnagar, Porbandar and Junagadh, prospects for groundnut crop in Rajkot, Amreli and Surendranagar look bright as the climate was favourable during sowing period,” said NC Patel, vice-chancellor, Junagadh Agriculture University.
Enthused by the favourable weather conditions and enough rainfall, some of the industry players even estimate output of two million tonnes.
As of July-end, the groundnut acreage in Gujarat stood at 1.63 million hectares, up from 1.58 million hectares during the same period last year.
