Castor output increases 12%, acreage up 11%

The total area under castor crop in the country for 2005-06 is 8.73 lakh hectare, 11 per cent more than the cultivated area last year, as per a survey carried by ACNielson Org-Marg Pvt Ltd on behalf of the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) of India.

The estimated total production of castor seeds for the year stands at 9.16 lakh tonne, a 12 per cent growth over the previous year, the report said.

In Gujarat 3.33 lakh hectare is under cultivation, registering a 5 per cent growth over last year. Cultivation area in north Gujarat decreased to 8 per cent and in Saurashtra to 20 per cent.

The area under castor seed has decreased mainly in Rajkot, Patan, Kutch and Banaskantha. Ahmedabad, Banaskantha and Surendranagar district showed an increase, the survey said.

The estimated total production of castor seeds for the year in Gujarat is 5.71 lakh tonne, 16 per cent growth over last year.

In Rajasthan, the area under castor crop has decreased in Gundahamanali taluka in Barmer district and has increased in Bhadra, Mohar, Osian talukas in Hanumangarh and Jodhpur districts.

The estimated total production in Rajasthan is 1.46 lakh tonne, a 4 per cent decrease over the previous year. Production has dropped in Hanumangarh district due to low temperatures and frost. The average yield is 1,028 kg/hectare, a 27 per cent decrease over last year.

Andhra Pradesh registered growth of 11 per cent with castor cultivated area at 3.98 lakh hectare. Cultivation increased the most in Ranareddy district, the report said. The estimated total production in Andhra Pradesh is 1.64 lakh tonne, up 17 per cent over the previous year.

Due to increased in yield in Nalgonda district, production increased by almost 103 per cent. However, Nalgonda contributed only 20 per cent of total production in the state. The main contributor was Mahaboobnagar, contributing around 62 per cent.