The Hindu Business Line : Castorseed production dips 15%, yield up 6%

The scenario
Area under cultivation decreased from 8,72,000 hectares to 6,98,000 hectares.
Production seen down from 9,16,000 tonnes to 7,85,000 tonnes.
Yield projected up from 1,010 kg to 1,067 kg

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Ahmedabad Feb. 19 The total area under castor crop in the country for 2006-07 has decreased by 20 per cent and estimated total production by 15 per cent. But the average yield for the year has increased by six per cent compared to the previous year, the Fifth International Seminar on Castor seed, Castor Oil and Its Value-Added Products was informed.

The estimated area under crop has decreased from 8,72,000 hectares to 6,98,000 hectares during the period, while the estimated production had also come down from 9,16,000 tonnes to 7,85,000 tonnes. On the other hand, the per hectare yield has increased from 1,010 kg to 1,067 kg between 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Shift noted

The seminar was organised by the Solvent Extractors' Association of India while its "Castor Crop Survey: 2006-07" was carried out by ACNielsen ORG-MARG Pvt Ltd in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh between October and February.

Mr Naresh Pednekar, Director of the surveying agency, said castor-growing farmers seem to have shifted to other crops at some places in view of low prices.

In Gujarat, the largest castorseed area in the world where it is grown mainly in nine districts, the area under castor has come down by 15 per cent, from 3,33,000 to 2,81,000 hectares. The production was estimated to be down by 13 per cent, from 5,71,000 tonnes to 4,95,000 tonnes during the period. The yield, on the other hand, was projected up by two per cent, from 1,715 kg to 1,757 kg per hectare.

In Rajasthan, where the crop is grown mainly in six districts, the area decreased by 19 per cent, from 1,42,000 to 1,15,000 hectares. Production is seen down by seven per cent, from 1,46,000 tonnes to 1,36,000 tonnes, whereas the yield up by 15 per cent, from 1,028 kg to 1,186 kg per hectare.

AP scenario

In Andhra Pradesh, the area under castor mainly in four districts declined by 37 per cent, from 3,98,000 to 2,49,000 hectares and the production by 31 per cent, from 1,64,000 tonnes to 1,14,000 tonnes. The yield increased by 11 per cent, from 413 kg to 456 kg per hectare, the Survey pointed out.

There were three sessions in the one-day seminar on Castor Oil Consumption/Developments, Castor Crop Situation and Demand-Supply of Castor Oil, and the Castor Oil Price Outlook. Moderating the last seminar, Mr G. Chandrashekhar, Associate Editor of The Hindu Business Line, said castor seed production is likely to go up by five per cent this year.

Mr Shwetal Vakil, Chairman of the seminar, said the recommendations of the participants would be sent to the Union Government in a week or two.

About 300 delegates from India and abroad participated in the event.