SEA launches pilot project to raise castorseed yield

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Edible oils industry body SEA haslaunched a pilot project in Gujarat to help farmers increasethe productivity of castorseeds to 2,000 kg per hectare fromthe current average yield of 1,200-1,400 kg a hectare. There is a potential to increase the productivity ofcastorseeds to over 2,000 kg per hectare, provided the farmersfollow ‘good agronomy’ practices along with proper usage ofgood quality seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, SolventExtractor’s Association of India (SEA) said. "To create awareness, the association this year haslaunched a pilot project for castorseed yield improvement inthe state of Gujarat and declared to establish Model Farms inBanaskantha and Aravali District of North Gujarat to showcasethe farmer, how to achieve the higher yield and thereby higherreturns per hectare of castorseed production," SEA said. The model farm would be supervised by the agriculturescientists and progressive farmers. The beneficial resultswill motivate many farmers to replicate good practicesdemonstrated at the model farm and achieve higher yield. "SEA has provided free of cost quality seed obtained fromSardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University,Dantiwada,fertiliser, pesticides and other inputs to the farmers andabout 50 farmers have joined in this project and agreed todevelop the model farms during the current season," theassociation said in a statement. In November, when the castorseed crop will be ready, SEAplans to organise ‘Kisan Mela’ inviting farmers to showcasethe benefit of good agriculture practices for achieving higheryield. On success of this project, SEA said it plans to expandand cover all districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan under thisproject for increasing productivity and production ofcastorseed. PTI MJH SBTABI