Groundnut Economy of Gujarat

Shrikant Modak This paper examines the working of the groundnut economy of Gujarat and the role being played by various agents in its development Production of and trade in groundnut are discussed in the first two sections of the paper, white the third section deals with the industrial processing of groundnut The fourth and final section analyses the role that has so far been played by merchant capital in the development of the groundnut economy of Gujarat and the role that the co-operative sector may play in its future development THE oilseed sector is an important sector of our national economy. Among the major oilseed crops grown in the country, groundnut is perhaps the most important of the lot. It occupies 46 per cent of the total area under oilseed crops and has a share of over 60 per cent in the country's oilseed output. There are five major groundnut producing states in the country and among these Gujarat is the largest producer. Gujarat's share in the national oilseed production is 35 per cent and it exercises a considerable influence on the national oilseed scene.