Groundnut sowing in Gujarat is progressing at a sluggish pace as only 33 per cent area has been covered so far, while overall 59 per cent sowing is complete for the Summer sowing this year.

Acreage down

According to the latest data from the Gujarat Agriculture Department, groundnut sowing has been completed on 41,400 hectares, some 33 per cent of the three-year average of 1,26,000 hectares in the State.

As on March 23, total area covered under summer sowing was 7,15,600 hectares, 59 per cent of the three-year average of 12,16,500 hectares, the data reveals.

Factors causing slip

Farmers attribute the fall in groundnut sowing to erratic weather conditions and unremunerative prices.

“The drop in the groundnut sowing is indicative of the losing interest of the farmers for the oilseed. Prices are also not remunerative,” said Ramesh Bhoraniya, a farmer from Rajkot district.

Data sourced from APMCs in Gujarat showed, groundnut in shell (big) hovered in the range of ₹591 for a maund of 20 kg in March last year, while currently, prices rule around ₹650.

Major drop seen

According to government officials, groundnut sowing may witness significant drop this season in the summer sowing.

“There are weather extremities and water shortage in several groundnut growing areas especially Saurashtra and Kutch. However, this will also reflect in the overall sowing in the State as well,” said a senior official at the Director of Agriculture, Gujarat.

Summer sowing in the State ends in March or latest by first week of April.

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