The Hindu Business Line : Rains rescue kharif oilseeds from gloom

"The torrential rains which flooded Mumbai have actually helped oilseeds, especially groundnut. The rains should help improve the yield and, thereby, make up for any loss in acreage," said Mr B.V. Mehta, Executive Director, Solvent Extractors Association of India.

Up to August 5, the country has experienced 5 per cent excess rainfall since the onset of monsoon. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 31 of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions have received excess rainfall.

However, the area under oilseeds is currently lower than the corresponding period last year. Till August 1, 137.56 lakh hectares (lh) have been brought under oilseeds against 141.02 lh last year.

"The Saurashtra region has received very good rainfall and the groundnut crop looks promising. Though area under groundnut may be 7-8 per cent lower, a good yield can compensate the acreage decline," said Mr Mehta.

But a good yield can be guaranteed only by follow-up rains during August-end and early September, according to him. "We are keeping our fingers crossed. So far, it has been good," he said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, area under groundnut is down 4.29 lh to 45.40 lh during the current kharif season.

"Soyabean coverage in Maharashtra has increased, though the crop has been washed away at a few places in the Marathwada region," Mr Mehta said.

"Soyabean prospects hinge on the follow-up rains during the pod stage. Currently, the overall situation looks good," said Mr Rajesh Agrawal, Chairman, Soyabean Processors Association of India (Sopa).

According to him, the crop in Madhya Pradesh has benefited from last month's rain.

A survey by Sopa has found soyabean crop in most areas in good condition. It also pegged the area under soyabean this year at 69.08 lh compared with 72.08 lh last year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, however, portrays a different picture. According to it, the area has increased to 70.40 lh from 69.25 lh last year.

Mr Mehta said soyabean coverage in States such as Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh had increased.

"The only problem is sunflower. Its sowing has declined," he said.

If the oilseeds crop continues to remain healthy, then production this year could equal that of last year.

The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated oilseeds production at a little over 260 lakh tonnes last crop year (July 2004-June 2005). But the trade contends that the output is around 220 lakh tonnes only.

Last year's production is seen higher than the 251.43 lakh tonnes produced the previous year.

Despite the increase in oilseeds production last year, vegetable oil imports during November-June period of the current oil year have increased to 30.62 lakh tonnes compared with 24.03 lakh tonnes during the same period last year.

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