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Water shortage for irrigation is likely to bring down summer sesame seed production in Gujarat by 70 per cent as compared to last year, Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (Shefexil) forecasts estimate.
As per a survey conducted by Shefexil Gujarat between April 23 and May 2, 2015, sesame seed production this summer is estimated to be about 35,216 tonnes in the state as against 113,190 tonnes last year.
The Shefexil report also highlights decline in area of sesame seed sowing primarily due to water scarcity. Moreover, unseasonal rain affected yield of the commodity which translated into lower production in this year.
However, the latest Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) survey shows sesame seed production to be around 63,383 tonnes, down nearly 51 per cent from 128,878 tonnes.
Since Gujarat is the largest producer of groundnut and sesame during rabi season, IOPEPC organized this survey in the state from May 11-14, 2015 in association with the Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU).
As per Gujarat state agriculture department data, sowing of sesame seed has covered 68,300 hectares in this year as against 125,800 hectares of previous year. With this, in third advance estimate, the state government has estimated 33,000 tonnes sesame seed production for summer.
Traders also believe that summer sesame seed production will not be more than 35,000 tonnes.
Major downfall in sowing has seen in Banaskantha, Surendranagar, Morbi, Rajkot, Porbandar and Kutch district in the state, said the Shefexil survey.
The Shefexil report said that, sowing area of sesame seed in Gujarat has been declined to 72,983 hectares from 114,620 hectares while yield has down by 48 per cent to 483 kg per hectare. Yield was 987 kg per hectares in 2014.
While, according to IOPEPC survey estimated 928 kg a hectare yield as against 1,024 kg of 2014.
Sowing was started late this year and report mentioned that main reason for late sowing was unavailability of farms as it was occupied by previous crops. Unfavorable weather condition during growing period affected the crop in Rajkot, Junagadh, Morbi and Jamnagar districts.
According to survey, untimely rain has raised disease and insect attack in many places.
Gujarat based leading exporter Manoj Sonpal said, "Market of sesame seed will be tough as kharif crop production has been arrived almost and summer crop size has estimated very lower which already start impacting on price."
Sesame seed hulled price is ruling on 2,100-2,300 per 20 kg and natural sesame seed price is about Rs 1,700-1,800 per 20 kg. Currently, arrival are at about 1000 bags of 30 kg each per day
Traders expecting good demand from international market, mainly from China and it may lift hulled sesame seed price up to Rs 2,600-2,800 per 20 kg by end of this month.
