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Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
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Production
Estimates and Crop Assessment Division |
August 5, 2003
The southwest monsoon, which provides 80 percent of India’s annual precipitation and is critical to the development of its major crops (rice, coarse grains, cotton, peanuts, soybeans), is much improved over last year. This season the 2003 Indian monsoon rains arrived after a worrisome delay. Monsoon rainfall amounts this season are much improved over last, with only a few areas significantly below normal. The south-west monsoon is critical as the majority of India's total peanut production is dependent on the monsoon rains. One of the rainfall deficit areas is in the peanut growing state of Andhra Pradesh.
The onset of the 2003 monsoon was delayed 7-10 days this year. Compared to normal, the cumulative monsoon precipitation so far this season has varied significantly among peanut growing states. Some regions have received 125 to 150 percent of normal, while others are have received less than 50 percent of normal. Currently, the only major area of concern is identified on the far western border of Andhra Pradesh (see map.) This historically productive region of western Andhra Pradesh has received only 50 to 75 percent of the rainfall normally received during this time period. In addition, the productive peanut areas of northern Karnataka have received from 0 to 50 percent of expected rainfall. Rainfall levels that are important to the kharif crop begin with the normal onset of the monsoon of June 1.
Southern Andhra Pradesh and the "peanut bowl" of western Gujarat have benefited from abundant rains this season. The crops in these areas are reported to be in good condition and progressing well. Though several weeks of the monsoon remain this season, continued favorable conditions in these areas will likely offset losses in the growing regions with less favorable rainfall.
Peanuts are India's most important commercial oilseed crop, and largest oilseed crop, providing 30‑35 percent of total vegetable oil supplies. India's share of total world output is nearly a third. Although India is a world leader in peanut area, yields have remained low, at about one ton per hectare. Peanut productivity in India has remained low mainly because the crop is traditionally grown in the dryland belt of India characterized by poor soil fertility, erratic rainfall and low input levels. Peanuts are grown as both a kharif and a rabi crop. The kharif peanut crop is sown with the onset of the monsoon and harvested in late fall or early winter. The kharif crop represents approximately 75 percent of India’s annual total. Major kharif (monsoon season) peanut growing states are Gujarat (28 percent), Andhra Pradesh (30 percent), Tamil Nadu (20 percent), Karnataka (12percent) and Maharashtra (9 percent). The crop is mostly rain fed, with only 17 percent of area under assured irrigation. Evenly distributed rains are critical during the growing season for realizing optimum yields. The peanut crop requires four or more good rains from late June through early September.
