Area under guar up 18% in Rajasthan on excess rains

Early and torrential rains from Cyclone Bebarjoy encouraged increased guar sowing in the major producing state of Rajasthan.

Guar was planted on 15.7 thousand hectares in Rajasthan as of July 13, up 18 percent from 13.3 liters last year. Sowing is still ongoing and the state of Rajasthan has set a target of 27 liters for the sowing of guar this autumn, down from 29.90 litres last year.

Rajasthan has received 107 percent of the excess rainfall so far in the southwest monsoon season. The amount of cumulative rainfall in the state was 272.50 mm from June 1 to July 17, compared to the normal rate of 131.80 mm.

Great coverage

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the districts reporting major coverage include Nagaur 1.09 lh, Bikaner 2.15 lh, Jaisalmer 1.85 lh, Ganganagar 1.68 lh, Hanumangarh 2.31 lh, Barmer 1.85 lh and Jodhpur 1.15 lh among others. It has also been widely cultivated in Ajmer, Jaipur, Sikar, Bilwara and Bali districts.

Guar gum, extracted from guar seeds, is used in applications such as shale gas and oil exploration, as a thickening agent and as an additive in food products. It is also used in industrial applications in the paper, textile, ore flotation, explosives manufacturing and other sectors.

In Jodhpur, instant guar gum prices are trading at INR 11,683 while guar seeds are priced at Rs 5,758 per quintal. On NCDEX, July futures were up 4.6 percent at Rs 11,540 and in September, futures were up 1.91 percent at Rs 5,830.

Exports earn

Guar gum exports increased by 38 percent to $617 million during 2022-23, up from $446 million in the previous year. In terms of value, exports rose 26 percent in volume at 4.06 thousand tons over 3.21 thousand tons in 2021-22.

During the period from April to May of the current fiscal year, guar gum exports decreased to 65,332 tons, compared to 66,867 tons a year earlier. In terms of value, guar gum exports fell by a third to $75 million, down from $112 million a year earlier.