Rajasthan guar production may rise

Guar seed production in Rajasthan this year is estimated to be in the range of 6.5-8 million bags of 100 kg each, traders said here today.

Last year, production in the desert-state stood at 6.5-7.0 million bags, with output for the last couple of years ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 tonnes.

Contributing between 70 and 74 per cent of the total guar seed production, Rajasthan is the largest producer in the country.

The main areas of production in the state are Jodhpur, Nagaur, Merta, Degana, Sekhawati, Bikaner and Churu.

Guar is a rain-fed monsoon crop, requiring 8-15 inches of rain in three-four spells. Sown immediately after the first showers in July, the crop is harvested around October-November every year.

The crop yield is directly related to the monsoon.

"Looking at the first and second spell of rains, though a bit late, guar production in Rajasthan is estimated to touch 8 million bags of 100 kg each, around 0.5 to 1 million bags more than the last year," Rakesh Ghiya, a trader in Jaipur said.

While the land has sufficient moisture now, one more spell of good or moderate rainfall would guarantee a bumper crop in the region, Kamal Jain, another trader here said.

"We expect a production of 7.5-8 million bags, but if it does not rain in the next 15-20 days, then production would be lower by 1-1.5 million bags," Jain said.

"If Barmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur areas get good rainfall in the next 7-15 days, then the figure is even likely to exceed 7.5-8.0 million bags," he added. Prices of guar and gum are presently hovering at Rs 1,720-1,780 per 100 kg and Rs 4,500-4,550 per 100 kg, respectively.

Traders here feel that prices of guar seed would greatly depend on the output.

"If the production is between 7 and 8 million bags, then prices are expected to be moderately dull.

However, if the production is lower then 7 million bags, then prices are expected to remain bullish on buying by stockists," Rajesh Jain, a guar trader said.