Oilseed output likely to slump

INCESSANT RAINS SEND SHIVERS DOWN MARKET SPINE

Maharashtra's oilseeds production is likely to be hit by the heavy rainfall witnessed in the last few days. The state produces around 12 per cent of the total annual domestic oilseeds.

No damage assessment has been carried out yet, but experts said there could be some damage to the crop.

"Many areas in Maharashtra have been cut off, and there are no official figures which can tell the actual damage incurred to the crop," said B V Mehta, executive director, Solvent Extractors' Association of India.

"It will be too early to jump into any conclusion on damage assessment in the state. We still require a day or two to estimate the actual damage, if any," Mehta added.

Gujarat, the second-largest producer of oilseeds after Madhya Pradesh, too faced a flood-like situation, but its oilseed cultivation has not been affected.

The rains were confined to the southern part of the state, while the main producing areas are Saurashtra and Kutch, which have so far received only normal rainfalls.

The country's production in 2005-06 stood at 26.7 million tonne, of which Madhya Pradesh contributed 5.23 million tonne, followed by Gujarat (4.37 lakh tonne) and Maharashtra (3.4 million tonne).