SEA launches pilot project to raise castorseed yield

Edible oils industry body SEA has launched a pilot project in Gujarat to help farmers increase the productivity of castorseeds to 2,000 kg per hectare from the current average yield of 1,200-1,400 kg a hectare.
There is a potential to increase the productivity of castorseeds to over 2,000 kg per hectare, provided the farmers follow 'good agronomy' practices along with proper usage of good quality seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, Solvent Extractor's Association of India (SEA) said.
"To create awareness, the association this year has launched a pilot project for castorseed yield improvement in the state of Gujarat and declared to establish Model Farms in Banaskantha and Aravali District of North Gujarat to showcase the farmer, how to achieve the higher yield and thereby higher returns per hectare of castorseed production," SEA said.

The model farm would be supervised by the agriculture scientists and progressive farmers. The beneficial results will motivate many farmers to replicate good practices demonstrated at the model farm and achieve higher yield.
"SEA has provided free of cost quality seed obtained from Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,Dantiwada, fertiliser, pesticides and other inputs to the farmers and about 50 farmers have joined in this project and agreed to develop the model farms during the current season," the association said in a statement.
In November, when the castorseed crop will be ready, SEA plans to organise 'Kisan Mela' inviting farmers to showcase the benefit of good agriculture practices for achieving higher yield.

On success of this project, SEA said it plans to expand and cover all districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan under this project for increasing productivity and production of castorseed.