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L.N. Revathy

Coimbatore, Nov. 7 The farm varsity’s Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) has analysed the price movements of crops such as Bengal gram, sunflower, gingelly, groundnut, maize and cumbu to facilitate farmers in planting decision during the Tamil month of Karthigai (November–December).

According to DEMIC’s Project Coordinator and Head, Dr N. Raveendran, the price of Bengal gram would dip marginally from its ruling rate of Rs 3,100 a quintal (Udumalpet market) to hover between Rs 2,700 and Rs 2,900 during the peak harvest months of February and March 2009.

“This drop would not be significant because the price of other pulses, import price and good rainfall decides the price of gram in the local market. If the climatic condition is favourable, the sowing area would go up in the forthcoming sowing season,” he said.

Coimbatore district accounts for 76 per cent of the Bengal gram crop in Tamil Nadu followed by Dindigul.

Coriander price touched a record high of Rs 10,000 a quintal in July from its earlier level of Rs 3,500 a quintal in January this year. The ruling price is Rs 6,800 a quintal.

“Low output coupled with low stock (10 to 15 lakh bags against 20 lakh bags the earlier season) and export demand resulted in the price surge.

“However, during harvest (in March 2009), the coriander seed is expected to be between Rs 6,500 and Rs 7,200 a quintal.

“Harvesting when the seeds turn golden brown is important. This will fetch better price,” Dr Raveendran said.

The DEMIC price forecast for sunflower seed remains flat. The crop yield levels were hit badly during the last season (April–May) due to heavy rains and poor quality of the seed material.

“These factors along with the removal and relaxation of import tariff for edible oils reduced the price of sunflower to Rs 28 to Rs 30 a kg. Government re-imposition of import duty on edible vegetable oil would keep the price of sunflower seed firm at its ruling rate or it could even take a dip to Rs 23 to Rs 26 a kg at harvest,” he said.

The dissemination of such information seems to have caught up with farmers and traders.

More Stories on : Pulses | Tamil Nadu

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