Gujarat groundnut yield at 28 lakh mt

The groundnut yield in Gujarat, the country's largest groundnut-growing State, in the current year is likely to touch 28,11,000 million tonne (MT). This was observed at the 56th annual meeting of Saurashtra Oil Millers' Association (Soma) - an apex body of oil-millers, traders and packers.

"Based on the figures received from representatives of various belts where groundnut crop is cultivated and harvested, we conclude that 28,11,600 MT of yield is expected in the 18,00,000 hectares cultivation in the current year," Ukabhai Patel, president, said.

However, there were differences of opinions among members, as a few of them were in favour of not going by cultivation figures on government books. They insisted that projection be done based on actual yield and how much oil would be nipped once the crop was harvested.

Gujarat, hailed as the 'groundnut bowl of the nation' is mainly divided into two zones - Saurashtra and the rest of the state. In the Saurashtra zone, cultivation is done in Rajkot, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Bhavnagar districts. In the north zone, cultivation takes place in Kutch-Bhuj, Surendranagar and north Gujarat districts.

Soma president asked representatives of various belts to quote only the average yield per yard and not speak of any estimated cultivation figures of their respective areas, as in the latter case there was a likelihood of discrepancies cropping up.

"We would go as per figures of cultivation on books of the government and not as per estimated cultivation figures given by you as there would be differences of opinions, hindering our estimates. So, I would ask you all to please quote the figures of estimated yield in terms of average yield likely to be harvested per yard from your belt in general."

Accordingly, Jamnagar's average yield likely to be harvested was quoted at 250-275 kg per yard as two talukas of Jamnagar district - Jam-Kalyanpur and Dwarka - had not received enough rainfall. Junagadh district is broadly divided into two segments.

The one comprising Una, Kodinaar, Veraval and Talala talukas was estimated to have average yield at 200 kg per yard. For the other segment consisting of Keshod, Mangrol, Visavadar, Bhesan, the average yield likely to be harvested was estimated at 300 kg per yard.

This two estimations make an average 240-250 kg per yard yield from Junagadh district.Estimated average yield of groundnut crop likely to be harvested from Amreli district was 200 kg per yard, followed by Porbandar district with estimated yield of 240 kg per yard.

Rajkot district mainly comprising Jetpur, Upleta and Dhoraji was estimated to harvest 250 kg per yard, while Dhasa in Bhavnagar district was found likely to harvest 220 kg per yard.

North Gujarat zone, comprising Surendranagar, Kutch-Bhuj and the rest of Gujarat, was estimated to yield average harvest of 300 kg per yard. "This year, in north Gujarat, farmers have shifted their focus from castor to groundnut cultivation; so average yield from this zone could be maintained, though in Kutch, which has received scanty rainfall, yield is likely to be hardly 180 kg per yard," said Patel.

He added, "We need to take an average of 250 kg per yard, calculating it with 6.5 yards per hector which would total to 1,562 kg. Now multiplying this by 18,00,000 hectares, the resultant yield comes to 28,11,600 MT in the current year."

As soon as Patel announced this calculation; there was a voice of opposition from a few traders. "We should not go as per the figures on books of the government as at times cotton farmers sow groundnut for getting their crop insured for a better value in terms of insurance money. So, instead of 18,00,000 hectors, we should work out it based on 16,00,000 hectares."

"Again figures revealed here are estimated yield, but actual crop when taken into processing there is a likely loss of 10 per cent of crop, which is not worth processing. So, even that should be considered, because if such estimate is made public, the government would definitely nab us when oil prices go up," said a few members who launched a sort of stir for a while, creating a panic situation among the key speakers, president and other members.

But finally, Soma president explained: "Figures of estimated yield per yard submitted by the representatives of various belts are already lower by 1 or 2 quintals. Again, I agree this year there has been less cultivation of groundnut in 1,80,000 hectares in the Saurashtra region, but estimated cultivation of groundnut in north Gujarat has shot up to 1,85,000 hectares besides regular cultivation. So, we feel the estimated figures of yield of groundnut crop in the current year as declared in the meeting is very much conservative."