Coimbatore : The farm gate price of good quality groundnut during harvest (August to September) would be around Rs.60-62 per kg,
according to an analysis by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

If the export won’t pick up, the price may likely to decline further and hence farmers are advised to take up the sowing decision accordingly, the analysis carried out by Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Students in TNAU, said.

It analysed the past 12 year historical prices that prevailed in Tindivanam Regulated market for ground nut in the State.

Groundnut is the major oil seed crop grown in India and also an important export commodity. Though groundnut is cultivated in different seasons, nearly 80 per cent of the annual acreage and production comes from kharif crop.

As per the First Advance Estimates in Tamil Nadu during 2018-19, kharif groundnut production was 4.29 lakh tons, with major cultivating districts in Tiruvannamalai, Viluppuram, Vellore, Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur and Cuddalore.

In most of these districts groundnut is sown during July to August (Aadipattam) and January to February (Thai pattam), it said.

The results of the analysis carried out at Sivagiri Regulated Market in Erode district on the prices prevailed in the last 17 year, the farm gate price of good quality sesame during August-September, would be around Rs.80 to Rs. 85 kg and the farmers are advised to take appropriate sowing decision.

Globally, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of sesame and the major states producing sesame are West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Utter Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu representing more than
88 per cent of total country’s production.

In Tamil Nadu the major sesame growing districts are Vilupuram, Erode, Thanjavur, Karur, Salem, and Cuddalore.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the export demand for sesame is reduced and that produce is diverted to Southern Indian states for crushing. Reduced export demand and good arrivals from other major growing states like West Bengal and Karnataka will reduce the price for produce in the forth coming months.