Groundnut production to quadruple in Gujarat: SOMA

The association estimates about 2.40 mn tonnes groundnut production this year as against 600,000 tonnes in previous year

Saurashtra Oil Millers’ Association (SOMA) has estimated almost four times higher groundnut production as compare to last year in Gujarat.

According to the association, good monsoon has encouraged farmers to take up groundnut sowing in a big way which may result into increased production.

SOMA has estimated about 2.40 million tonnes groundnut production in Gujarat. According to the association, the groundnut production was about 600,000 tonnes last year in the state.

At its annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday in Rajkot, the oil millers’ apex body said that, Gujarat has received good rainfall during monsoon and due to which the yield has benefited.

Good rainfall has benefited the groundnut yield which may increase by nearly three times from last year’s 500 kg per hectare to 1,500 kg per hectare. SOMA informed that groundnut is sown on 1.65 million hectares of areas in Gujarat during this kharif season as against 1.17 million hectares in last year.

Samir Shah, president of SOMA said, “There might be some damage in groundnut crop due to heavy rain at the end of monsoon but overall scenario is very positive as sowing has increased in this kharif season. Sufficient and timely rainfall has increased the expectation of higher yield in groundnut crop.”

As per the SOMA data, highest groundnut production will be seen in Junagadh district with 650,000 tonnes, follow by Jamnagar with 555,000 tonnes and Rajkot with 470,000 tonnes.

On the other hand lowest groundnut production has been estimated for Surendranagar district with 25,000 tonnes as cotton areas is higher than groundnut there. For Banaskantha district, SOMA has predicted 60,000 tonnes groundnut production.

Talking about the method of survey for groundnut production estimate, Manubhai Pateliya, vice president of SOMA said, “Association is still using traditional method for groundnut production estimation. We contacted more than 500 farmers and asked them about the growth of plants, yield expectation. On the basis of these details, we have estimated the production.”

However, SOMA also confirmed that several millers were engaged in manipulative activities in edible oils. Some of the millers were mixing groundnut oils.

This has tarnished the image of edible oil industry of Gujarat. Issues such as export of groundnut oil, stock limits and some tax related matters were raised in the AGM.

The leaders have decided to meet the concerned state and central government officials to resolve the matters.