India's castorseed production is anticipated to grow by 9% to 20.54 lakh tonnes (lt) in the 2023-24 season, up from 18.81 lt in 2022-23. This forecast comes from the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India's (SEA) Castor Crop Survey 2023-24, conducted by Indian Agribusiness Systems Ltd. The survey showed an increase in the area under castor crop to 10.05 lakh hectares (lh), up 9% from 9.18 lh the previous year. Despite this increase in cultivation area, the average productivity is expected to slightly decrease to 2,044 kg per hectare in 2023-24 from 2,048 kg per hectare in 2022-23.
In Gujarat, which is a significant castor producing state, total production is estimated to rise to 15.98 lt in 2023-24 from 15.69 lt in 2022-23, with an area under castor seed at 7.24 lh. The average yield in Gujarat is projected to increase to 2,206 kg per hectare from 2,196 kg per hectare. Rajasthan saw a notable 40% increase in castor acreage to 2.09 lh, with production expected to jump to 3.66 lt from 2.48 lt, and average yield improving to 1,752 kg per hectare from 1,663 kg per hectare.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are estimated to have a total castor acreage of 0.60 lh, with total production expected at 0.83 lt, up from 0.57 lt in the previous season. The average yield in these states is also expected to increase to 1,385 kg per hectare from 1,321 kg per hectare.
The SEA's survey findings, released during a global castor conference in Ahmedabad, are based on field surveys and remote sensing data analysis in major castor-growing states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The survey's estimates are preliminary and based on crop conditions up to the first week of February, with yield re-validation planned for March and April to assess any impact of adverse weather or changes in final yields.