India: Groundnut sowing to decrease in Gujarat on account of poor rains and less remuneration

Groundnut cultivation in Gujarat is likely to decline as progressive monsoon sowing for the state’s main kharif crop is almost 0.2 million hectare (MH) less in the current season so far as compared to the previous year’s 1.77 MH during the corresponding period. Latest data released by the state agriculture department indicates three factors – late beginning of monsoon season in Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions, low-crop yields and higher price of cotton which are making farmers move from groundnut to other cash crops. In many parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions, farmers started sowing cotton, replacing groundnut, even before the first shower of monsoon, said an official of the agriculture department. Compared to groundnut, cotton crop can survive better during lean weak monsoon situations. However, the state has received good rains from the second week of July which would hopefully increase groundnut sowing, especially in the Saurashtra region. In the last kharif ...