Groundnut yield in Gujarat seen up by 35 %

In the wake of favourable weather conditions coupled with sufficient rainfall, groundnut yield in Gujarat is estimated to rise by 35 per cent at 1,120 kg per hectare this year. Higher yield is all set to push up groundnut output by 5 lakh tonnes.

As per the survey conducted by The Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) of India, Gujarat is likely to witness groundnut yield of around 1,120 kg per hectare, which shows a jump of 35 percent over 830 kg per hectare last year.

On the back of higher yield, SEA estimates groundnut production in Gujarat to increase by 5 lakh tonnes to 18.70 lakh tonnes in 2010-11.

 

Junagadh is poised to see the highest yield at 1,375 kg per hectare, which was 1,000 kg last year. However, groundnut yield in Amreli is projected to be the lowest at 700 kg per hectare this year. Still, it will be higher than the last year's yield of 500 kg per hectare. Groundnut yield in the district took a hit due to heavy rains during monsoon.

"Initially, industry players were expecting groundnut production of 22-23 lakh tonnes but later on revised their estimates as heavy rainfall in Porbandar and Jamnagar districts damaged groundnut crop and yield in these regions. Still, production is likely to be higher than last year," said BV Mehta, executive director, SEA.

According to SEA report, around 20 per cent area under groundnut crop in Porbandar district was washed away by heavy rains, while the remaining area has seen groundnut yield taking a hit. The aveage yield in this district may hover around 750 kg per hectare against against 1,060 kg per hectare last year.