Castor sowing, output to see sharp rise in 2011-12

So far, there has been a 25 per cent rise in acreage of the commodity.

With monsoon being timely and sufficient for the castor crop in Gujarat, the state expects a steep rise in the area under castor cultivation in the state over last year supported by an increase in the production to the tune of about 30 per cent.

Trader sources expect a bumper castor crop in Gujarat, which holds the largest share in the country's total castor production. Even as monsoon was delayed for the early sowing, the widespread rains in recent weeks has boosted the sentiments of castor growing farmers.

According to the figures provided by state agriculture directorate, so far the castor sowing was 25 per cent more than the corresponding period last year. As of August 1, 2011, castor sowing in Gujarat stood at 254,700 hectares against 202,800 hectares recorded during the same period in 2010.

The total area under castor cultivation was recorded about 482,000 hectares in 2010-11, showing a growth of about 10 per cent over the previous year.

"Castor sowing will pick-up momentum after mid-August and will continue till September-end. The sowing has been robust so far, so there will be a sharp increase in the total castor area for this year. Also, good monsoon this year has made us hopeful for a bumper castor crop for 2011-12," said Manoj Agarwal, a trader from Palanpur.

The industry insiders expect a steep rise to the tune of 30 per cent rise in castor production in Gujarat for 2011-12.

The state's castor production stood at around 860,000 tonnes for 2010-11 up 17 per cent against 736,000 tonnes in 2009-10.

Meanwhile, government officials informed that the sowing was still on in many parts of the state, hence the final estimate on crop production was not possible.

"The sowing in central Gujarat is still to be taken up. Once we are ready with the sowing figures, we can have a crop estimate for 2011-12. But considering this year's returns from castor, many farmers are believed to take up castor cultivation in anticipation of a similar return in the next year too," said D Z Patel, joint director of Agriculture, Gujarat.

Besides Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are among the other major castor producing states. India's total castor production stood at 1.19 million tonnes for 2010-11 against 978,000 tonnes for 2009-10, showing a rise of about 22 per cent.