#116Q

1. 1
THE SOLVENT EXTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CASTOR CROP SURVEY 2017-18
Castor Crop Survey presented by
Indian Agribusiness Systems Ltd. (Agriwatch)
24th
February, 2018

2. 2
Executive Summary
• The Solvent Extractors' Association of India is an all India apex body of solvent
extraction industry and at present almost all-working solvent extraction units are its
members. The association continuously gives feedback to the members about the
developments taking place in the country and world.
• As one of its activities, SEA conducts Castor crop survey for crop estimation in major
growing states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana every year. This
year, SEA commissioned Indian Agribusiness Systems Ltd, known as “Agriwatch” in the
industry, to conduct a crop estimation study in above states through field surveys and
remote sense data analysis.
• Agriwatch is one of the premier organisation, specialised in agri-commodity research
and consulting with requisite experience, expertise and infrastructure to conduct such
studies.
• Agriwatch has been doing many such crop surveys for different commodities for other
corporates and Govt. departments.
• Agriwatch is conducting castor crop estimation through field surveys, remote sense
data analysis and Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) during period November 2017 to
April 2018.
• Till date, two rounds of field surveys and remote sensing data analysis in above states
are completed. In these two rounds, 80-85% of the total farmer’s sample size are
interviewed. Since the Castor crop cycle is from July to April, therefore two more
rounds of field surveys will be conducted in March and April (in Gujarat and Rajasthan)
and crop estimates may be revised if required.

3. 3
GUJARAT
• Total area under castor in Gujarat for the year 2017-18 is taken to be 5,95,600 hectares
as per the government’s estimates against last year’s estimate of 5,65,400 hectares,
which has increased by 5.3% as compared to the previous year.
• The major reasons for increase in area are crop rotation, expectation of higher price and
lower cost of cultivation.
• Estimated average yield for year 2017-18 is expected to be 2050 Kg/Ha. Farmers were
asked about their yield expectation on present crop conditions. Farmers are expecting
slight increase in yield this year due to favourable weather conditions and availability of
water for irrigation.
• Total production in the state is estimated to be 12.20 lakh tons during the year 2017-18.
District wise Area, Yield and Production of castor seeds in Gujarat for 2017-18
Districts
Acreage
Estimate for
2017-18
based on
Remote
sensing
analysis
Castor Acreage ('000 Ha)- State
Govt. Estimates
Avg. Yield
Estimation
for 2017-18
as per
Farmer's
feedback
(Kg/Ha)
Production
Estimates for
2017-18 ("000
Tons)
2017-18 2016-17# 2017-18#
YOY
Change 2017-18$ 2017-18
Ahmedabad 45.32 44.4 50.0 12.6% 1862 93.12
Aravalli 19.475 19.3 27.4 42.0% 2159 59.15
Banaskatha 105.06 101.5 112.0 10.3% 2437 272.93
GandhiNagar 24.72 24.3 28.5 17.3% 1867 53.22
Kheda 5.125 5.4 7.0 29.6% 1934 13.54
Kutch 90.64 87.6 99.5 13.6% 1175 116.91
Mehsana 67.65 66.1 75.1 13.6% 2694 202.29
Morbi 3.605 19.6 12.4 -36.7% 2416 29.95
Patan 84.46 82.3 69.8 -15.2% 2366 165.16
Sambarkatha 17.51 17.3 19.2 11.0% 2139 41.07
Surendranagar 46.13 44.9 26.8 -40.3% 1961 52.56
Vadodara 21.63 20.9 37.8 80.9% 2011 76.00
Others 34.8 31.8 30.1 -5.3% 1502 45.21
Total 566.13 565.4 595.6 5.3% 2050.23 1221.12
$- Primary Survey
#- Acreage as per State Govt. Estimates

4. 4
RAJASTHAN
• Total area under castor in Rajasthan for the year 2017-18 is taken to be 1,31,000
hectares as per the government’s estimates against last year’s estimate of 1,42,600
hectares, which has decreased by 8% as compared to the previous year.
• The major reasons for decrease in area are crop shift, expectation of lower price this
year.
• Average yield for year 2017-18 is estimated to be 1210 Kg/Ha, based on farmer’s
response about their yield expectation on present crop conditions. Farmers are
expecting slight increase in yield this year due to favourable weather conditions and
availability of water for irrigation.
• Total production in the state is estimated to be 1.58 lakh tons during the year 2017-18.
District wise Area, Yield and Production of castor seeds in Rajasthan for 2017-18
Districts
Acreage
Estimate for
2017-18 based
on Remote
sensing analysis
Castor Acreage ('000 Ha)- State
Govt. Estimates
Avg. Yield
Estimation for
2017-18 as per
Farmer's feedback
(Kg/Ha)
Production
Estimates for
2017-18 ("000
Tons)
2017-18 2016-17# 2017-18#
YOY
Change 2017-18$ 2017-18
Barmer 26.32 22.83 27 18.3% 665 17.94
Jalore 57.66 50.48 44 -12.8% 1651 72.65
Jodhpur 29.14 26.19 25 -4.5% 516 12.91
Sirohi 35.72 32.47 26 -19.9% 1721 44.75
Others NA 10.49 9 -14.2% 1138 10.24
Total 148.84 142.46 131 -8.0% 1210 158.50
$- Primary Survey
#- Acreage as per State Govt. Estimates

5. 5
ANDHRA PRADESHA AND TELANGANA
• Total area under castor in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana for the year 2017-18 is taken
to be 58,190 hectares as per the government’s estimates against last year’s estimate
of 73,180 hectares, which has decreased by 20.5% as compared to the previous year.
• The major reasons for decrease in area are crop shift, falling yield and pest attacks last
year.
• Average yield for year 2017-18 is estimated to be 477 Kg/Ha, based on farmer’s
response about their yield expectation on present crop conditions.
• Total production in the state is estimated to be 0.28 lakh tons during the year 2017-18.
District wise Area, Yield and Production of castor seeds in AP & Telangana for 2017-18
Districts
Acreage
Estimate for
2017-18 based
on Remote
sensing
analysis
Castor Acreage ('000 Ha)- State
Govt. Estimates
Avg. Yield
Estimation for
2017-18 as per
Farmer's
feedback
(Kg/Ha)
Production
Estimates
for 2017-18
("000 Tons)
2017-18 2016-17# 2017-18#
YOY
Change 2017-18$ 2017-18
Anathapuram NA 10 17 70.0% 300 5.10
Kurnool 18.17 20 13 -35.0% 516 6.71
Mahaboobnagar 33.18 41.23 12.4 -69.9% 662 8.21
Others NA 1.95 15.79 709.7% 492 7.77
Total 51.35 73.18 58.19 -20.5% 477 27.79
$- Primary Survey
#- Acreage as per State Govt. Estimates
Note: Mehaboobnagar acreage is split in four districts Mehaboobnagar, Gadwal, Wanarpathy
and Nagarkurnool. New districts are taken under Öthers” during 2017-18.

6. 6
ALL INDIA
• Total area under castor in India for the year 2017-18 is estimated to be 822000
hectares as per the government’s estimates against last year’s estimate of 800000
hectares, which has increased by 2.90% as compared to the previous year.
• Acreage has reported to be increased in all states except Rajasthan.
• Average yield for year 2017-18 is estimated to be 1738 Kg/Ha, based on farmer’s
response about their yield expectation on present crop conditions.
• Total production in India is estimated to be 14.30 lakh tons during the year 2017-18.
State wise Area, Yield and Production of castor seeds in India for 2017-18
State
Acreage
Estimate for
2017-18 based
on Remote
sensing
analysis
Castor Acreage ('000 Ha)- State
Govt. Estimates
Avg. Yield
Estimation for
2017-18 as per
Farmer's
feedback
(Kg/Ha)
Production
Estimates for
2017-18 ("000
Tons)
2017-18 2016-17# 2017-18#
YOY
Change 2017-18$ 2017-18
Gujarat 566.13 565.4 595.6 5.3% 2050 1221.12
Rajasthan 148.84 142.46 131 -8.0% 1210 158.51
AP &
Telangana 33.18 54.68 58.19 6.4% 477 27.76
Others NA 37 38 2.7% 600 22.80
Total 748.15 799.54 822.79 2.9% 1738 1430.18
$- Primary Survey
#- Acreage as per State Govt. Estimates
Note:
• Remote sensing data analysis was also undertaken this year to confirm the Government
acreage estimates. Over the years, remote sensing analysis can be used for acreage
estimation.
• Above estimates are based on two rounds of field surveys and remote sensing analysis.
• Agriwatch is yet to undertake 3rd
and 4th
round of survey during March and April respectively
to re-validate the yield expectation of farmers
• The final estimates may change after 4th
round of survey and Crop Cutting Experiments
results.
• The Crop estimation is based on Government acreage and yield expectations from farmers.