Gujarat will achieve a record groundnut production this kharif season (2017) following a favourable monsoon and increased yield, according to estimates from the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India.

The SEA’s Groundnut Promotion Council has forecast a bumper groundnut crop of 31.45 lakh tonnes (lt) — the highest ever in a kharif season — as against last year’s 29.4 lt.

The first round of sowing took place in the last week of June and the second, in mid July. “The rainfall was utmost satisfactory and timely and [the season was marked by] hardly any crop disease, resulted in a record, bumper crop of 31.45 lt. This is the highest. The kharif acreage of groundnut in Gujarat marginally decreased to 16 lakh hectares from 16.42 lakh hectares last year and yield has increased to 1,960 kg/ha against 1,790 kg/ha last year,” the SEA noted in its groundnut kharif crop estimate. The estimates come after GG Patel, Convener, SEA Oilseed Crop Estimate Committee, led a 15-member team to Gujarat’s groundnut-producing districts during October 13-15.

Anticipating a sharp dip in prices, given the projection of a bumper crop, the Gujarat government has decided to buy limited quantity of the oilseed, at an MSP of ₹900 per 20 kg against the current market price of around ₹750-800, and allotted a sum of ₹500 crore for the same.

“This may lead to time being reserved for selling by the farmer in the open market, and he would prefer to offer [produce to the] government at procurement price,” added SEA.

Besides the current crop, there is an estimated carryover stock of 1.10 lakh tonnes, with co-operative NAFED, farmers and traders estimated to have about 50,000-60,000 tonnes in Gujarat.

“The export of HPS groundnut is expected to be lesser than last year, and at the same time, the export of groundnut oil may not find international markets due to disparity. Local production will be higher due to better availability of the groundnut seed,” the SEA statement said.

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