Rise in Groundnut Sowing
For the first time since 2021, groundnut sowing in Gujarat has crossed 1.8 million hectares during the ongoing kharif season of 2024. This surge is primarily driven by challenges in cotton cultivation, including lower yields, pink bollworm infestation, and the presence of fake Bt cotton seeds. This report examines the factors influencing this shift and its implications for exporters.
According to the latest data from Gujarat’s Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Cooperation Department, groundnut sowing has reached 1.882 million hectares. This figure represents a 16% increase from the 1.621 million hectares sown in 2023 and marks the highest acreage in the past two years. During the 2022 kharif season, groundnut sowing stood at 1.763 million hectares, while in 2021, it was 1.887 million hectares. With kharif sowing still underway, groundnut acreage is expected to approach the 2.065 million hectares seen in 2020.
Factors Driving the Shift
The lower yields from cotton crops, along with the menace of pink bollworms and rising input costs due to increased pesticide use, are pushing farmers to switch to groundnut. The former head of Khedut Samaj, an organization of farmers in Gujarat, explained that farmers find groundnut cultivation more appealing because it allows them to harvest by Diwali and potentially take a second crop.
A farmer from Galiyawad village in Junagadh district shared his experience. Last year, he sowed cotton but incurred losses due to pink bollworm infestation. This year, he shifted to groundnut and expects to make a profit. He also noted the issue of fake But cotton seeds in the market, which has further discouraged cotton cultivation.
The ongoing kharif season in Gujarat has seen a notable increase in groundnut sowing, driven by the challenges associated with cotton cultivation and the appeal of groundnut’s shorter harvest cycle. Despite this shift, cotton remains the dominant crop, though its acreage has decreased. Additionally, the increase in soybean sowing highlights a broader trend of farmers adapting to changing conditions and market dynamics. For exporters, these shifts indicate potential changes in supply chains and market opportunities.