Date:23/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092355360500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Sunflower farmers asked to sell seeds immediately

Staff Reporter

The price of sunflower seeds will cost between Rs. 24 and Rs. 26 a kg
Considerable arrival of seeds is expected to curtail the price rise

COIMBATORE: As there is no scope for increase in prices for sunflower seeds in the coming months, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has advised sunflower farmers to sell seeds immediately.

According to a release from the university, the econometric analysis confirmed that the price of sunflower seeds will cost between Rs. 24 and Rs. 26 a kg from September to December. Considerable arrival of seeds is expected to curtail the price rise.

The Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell of the university conducted a market survey at Vellakovil regulated market, a major centre for sunflower and analysed last eight years’ price data. The team found out that due to price rise that prevailed in the previous years, farmers had undertaken cultivating more sunflower this season. The reduction of import duty of crude sunflower oil by the Government of India has impacted the price of all edible oils.