TNAU counsels on what to sow and the price to be fixed for produce
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: What crops or combination of crops to be planted during ‘Aadi’ and what price to be fixed for the produce harvested during the season has been suggested by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
According to a university release, maize, gingelly and groundnut are the most favoured crops that can be planted during the season. The South West monsoon favours the growth of theses crops.
Maize, grown in Perambulur, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Virudhanagar districts accounts for 77 per cent of the total area that comes under cultivation of this crop. The major sowing seasons are “Aadi pattam” (June – August), “Puratasi pattam” (September – October), and “Thai pattam” (January – February).
Maize
Those who have stocked maize are advised to release their stocks during July and August when the prices will be Rs. 750 – 800 per quintal. Maize that is to be sowed in this season can be released in September for the same price. More arrivals from Karnataka will keep the price below Rs. 750 after September.
With regard to gingelly, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Karur, Erode and Perambalur contribute 55 per cent of the State production.
Sowing is favourable during June, July and August. Due to lower productivity, non-availability of labour, high labour costs and poor profits, many farmers have shifted to other crops like sunflower.
As there will not be arrivals, the price of gingelly will hover around Rs. 28 – 30 per kg for the next three months. Farmers are advised to release their stocks immediately to avoid storage costs. They are also advised to sow during the “Aadi pattam”.
Groundnut, though an important oilseed crop, has seen reduction in cultivation area in all districts of Tamil Nadu. It is considered as an “Aadi pattam” and “Thai pattam” crop. Major production centres are Thiruvanamalai, Villupuram, Vellore, Erode, Kancheepuram and Namakkal districts. It has been predicted that the oilseed season will see a dip in acreage and production.
It has been forecast that the price of groundnut pods during July to December will be around Rs. 2,200 – 2,300 per quintal.
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