Cumin sowing up by 50%

The sowing of cumin seed, or 'jeera', has increased by more than 50% in the state in the current Rabi season, according to figures provided by the state agriculture department. Gujarat is currently the largest producer of cumin in the country.

According to the data on January 23, cumin seeds were sown in 3.70 lakh hectares, much higher compared to 2.45 lakh hectares last year. The three-year average acreage of cumin in the state is 3.08 lakh hectares.

"The area under cultivation of cumin as well as the Rabi crops has gone up due to favourable weather conditions," said state agriculture minister Dileep Sanghani.

The area covered under Rabi crop cultivation has increased from 30.90 lakh hectares last year to 36.4 lakh hectares in the current year. Officials said that the area under wheat cultivation is slightly lower at 12.78 lakh hectare as compared with 12.88 lakh hectare last year. The acreage of grams has increased from 1.97 lakh hectare to 2.31 lakh hectare, while that of mustard is lower from 2.16 lakh hectare to 1.97 lakh hectare.

"The area under cultivation of most of the other major Rabi crops, such as Isabgol, funnel seeds, vegetables, fodder, cereals, among others, is also significantly higher than last year," said officials, adding that the crop output was likely to be higher than last year.