It’s a tough time for the groundnut farmers in the Banaskantha district of North Gujarat. This year, summer groundnut sowing has plummeted by a staggering 20%, causing a significant dip in production, according to market veterans. What’s causing this decline, you ask? Well, it’s a combination of factors.
For one, farmers opt to sow more bajri for grass fodder, leaving less land for groundnuts. Additionally, the recession has made groundnut seeds scarce, and the lack of retail sales of potatoes has only exacerbated the problem. The water woes in some areas have also contributed to the decrease in summer sowing. To make matters worse, recent rains have failed to do much for the groundnut crop. While the showers were a boon for other crops, the groundnut crop didn’t receive the heat it needed, resulting in reduced yield.
But Banaskantha is one of many regions facing these challenges. Only half of the groundnut crop in Saurashtra is expected to make it to the market this year. The farmers there have been hit by excessive sowing of sesame and unseasonal rains, which have hampered the yield. While the rains have delayed the arrival of groundnut by a week, the good news is that there has been no damage to the area. As for the market, the price of groundnut is expected to remain rangebound with no significant improvement in sight. The lack of particular export business in the grain market is to blame.
However, there’s still hope for the farmers who have sown in advance. They’re bringing their goods to the market, and there’s a chance for a pickup in June. Monsoon groundnut sowing will occur around June 15th, and the farmers will closely monitor rainfall to make their decisions.
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