TNAU Forecasts Prices Of Karthigaipattam Crops

In Tamil Nadu Bengal gram, Coriander and Cumbu are three important food crops grown in Karthigaipattam season (October ,November sowing).This year, with an expectation of normal north east monsoon season farmers intend to cultivate these important food crops.

To facilitate farmers in order to take cultivation decisions in getting better price for their products Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) functioning in Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University analyzed the prices of above crops.
BENGAL GRAM:

Globally Bengal gram was cultivated in 11.08 million hectares leading to a production of 9.77 million tonnes in 2009-10. India stands first in Bengal gram production with a share of 70 per cent along with a consumption of 90 per cent of world production. It was cultivated in 7.5 million hectares in 2009 and the production was 6.54 million tonnes.

In Tamil Nadu Bengal gram is normally sown in Karthigai (November) and harvested in February-March. It was cultivated in 0.68 million hectare leading to a production 0.45 million tonnes in 2009. Coimbatore district occupied 81 per cent of the crop followed by Dindigul and Dharmapuri districts.

Trade sources revealed that expected arrivals from other major producing countries during November-December followed by local arrivals during February- March will keep its prices firm. Bengal gram prices prevailed in Udumalpet market for last nine years were collected and analyzed. NAIP-DEMIC analysis confirmed that the price of Bengal gram will hover around Rs. 2400-2500 per quintal during February-March, 2011, i.e. during harvest period.
BAJRA:

Cumbu or bajra is one of the major coarse grain cereal crops. It is also one of the most drought resistant crops among cereals and millets. It is also used as poultry feed and green fodder for cattle. In India, during 2008-09, Cumbu was cultivated in 9.71 million hectares with a production of 8.88 million tonnes. Cumbu is cultivated mostly in Oct-Dec. Mainly it is sown during October based on the rainfall occurrence. Also during summer it is grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Gujarat as an irrigated crop.

In Tamil Nadu, it is grown in an area of about 0.59 lakh hectares with a production of 0.85 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1436 kg per hectare. Villupuram district has the highest area of 15,172 hectares followed by Thoothukudi, Madurai, Thiruvannamalai and Dindigul districts.

During the last harvest season (January, 2010) the price was Rs. 8 per kg .Trade sources revealed that there was a shift towards maize crop because labour charges are more in cumbu than maize. Hence this year, the area and production of cumbu is likely to see a downtrend.

As per the econometric analysis done by Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell, on the last 15 years cumbu price of Kovilpatti market, the price of cumbu during Feb-March 2011, i.e., during harvest of karthigai sown crop would revolve around Rs, 750-875 per quintal. Based on this price farmers are advised to take their decision on sowing of cumbu.