• Investment World
• eWorld
• Brand Line
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest
• The New Manager

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Cross Currency

• Rates
  
  

Shipping

• Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources
• In Focus
• In Depth

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• Business Line
• Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

M.R. Subramani

Kharif groundnut production likely to decline by 7 lakh tonnes

Chennai , Aug. 9

Torrential rains that have hit Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, in particular, could affect the quality of kharif oilseeds and cotton, according to industry officials.

Though a section of the industry says the rains could help cotton, another feels things could be cause for worry, including for oilseeds, if the rains continue for another five days.

Rains in Maharashtra and Gujarat, under the influence of the southwest monsoon, have wreaked havoc and affected normal life. The Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh, too, has been affected.

"The rains could cut the cotton crop by as much as 10 per cent. Regions such as Marathwada, Vidharbha, Surat and Baruach, where cotton is grown, could be affected. Too much of wetness is not good for cotton," said industry sources in Mumbai.

Cotton production

Cotton production for the 2006-07 season beginning October has been projected at over 240 lakh bales (of 170 kg). Production this season has been estimated at a record 244 lakh bales against 243 lakh bales the previous season.

Gujarat has emerged as the top cotton producer in the country. Its production this season has been estimated at 89 lakh bales against 73 lakh bales the previous season. Maharashtra, on the other hand, is estimated to produce 36 lakh bales this season against 52 lakh bales last season. Andhra Pradesh's output is also projected lower this season at 30 lakh bales against 32.50 lakh bales.

Pest attacks

"What happens if there is moisture due to rains is that pest attacks increase," the sources said. "Certainly, flooding in these growing areas could affect the quality of cotton even if production is unaffected," they said.

Mr D.K. Nair, Secretary-General, Confederation of Indian Textiles Industries, said no report of any damage to the crop had been received from anywhere in the country. "We are told that the rains are good for the crop and production will be substantially higher this year," he said. Area under cotton this year has increased to 80.11 lakh hectares (lh) against 70.11 lh during the corresponding period a year ago.

Oilseeds

As regards the kharif oilseed crop, the rains could affect the quality of the crop, while arrivals could be delayed.

Mr Sandeep Bajoria, President, Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Traden (COOIT), said: "Kharif oilseed crop will be delayed by at least a week. The quality may be affected but otherwise, there is not much impact on the crop due to rainsBut if the rains continue for another five days, then it will spell trouble for the crop." However, there could be at least a fall of 7 lakh tonnes (lt) in the kharif production going by the current trend. "Groundnut crop could be lower by 9 lt, while soyabean could be 9 lt higher. Overall, the crop could be 7 lt lower," Mr Bajoria said.

Other crops

Groundnut crop this season (November 2005-October 2006) has been estimated by COOIT at 26.2 lt with kharif accounting for 16.2 lt. This is against 25 lt the previous season with kharif making up 16.7 lt. Soyabean, a kharif crop, has been estimated at 57.5 lt (51 lt).

Overall, oilseeds crop this season has been estimated at 262.10 lt (246.2 lt), with kharif accounting for 169.4 lt (157.4 lt).

During the current kharif season, oilseeds acreage is witnessing a decline with 143.65 lh coming under the crop so far against 153.62 lh during the year-ago period. While soyabean acreage is up at 77.61 lh (74.51 lh), grounding coverage is down to 40.35 lh (50.89 lh).

More Stories on : Climate & Weather | Outlook | Cotton | Oilseeds & Edible Oil

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Rains may affect quality of cotton, oilseeds crop

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line