Farmers stare at drastic fall in groundnut harvest
(WorldNews India)

Rajkot: The record groundnut production in 2017-18 kharif season had severe political ramifications and spurred plethora of problems due to irregularities in government purchase through minimum support prices (MSP). In stark contrast, farmers in Saurashtra, the highest producer of this politically sensitive crop, are expected to harvest barely half the yield in 2018-19; the main reason being deficient rainfall and fall in area under cultivation. Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEAI) and Saurashtra Oil Millers Association (SOMA) have both estimated groundnut production to be 50% less compared to last season. Though government expects 27 lakh tonnes production, farmers don´t agree....