June 1907.] 365 Edible Products. 



THE PONDICHERY GROUND NUT INDUSTRY. 



About three or four mouths ago it was generally estimated that the ground- 

 nut crop would be an unusually large one. Mr. Benson calculated that the current 

 crop would exceed the previous one by 29 per cent. As the last crop gave 1,500,000 

 bags for exportation, it was expected that over 2,000,000 bags would be forthcoming 

 for shipment. So far, these bright exceptions have not been fulfilled. Worse than 

 that, the result of speculative operations in chartering ships, in view of the large 

 demands for freight which was anticipated to occur in January, brought about a 

 disastrous situation. The ships being chartered had to be filled in time anyhow, 

 and the stock available for shipment being inadequate, the two-fold effect was to 

 raise price locally while they were lowered in Marseilles. Some say that the original 

 estimate of over 2,000,000 bags for exportation is strictly correct, and that the dis 

 turbance is due to the fact that the groundnut seeds were sown about two months 

 later than usual, and that the crop is consequently belated. Those who are of this 

 opinion think that the harvest is still proceeding and that ultimately the entire 

 quantity estimated will come to the market. Others, relying on calculations which 

 seem convincing, say that the yield for exportation will be more than 1,200,000 bags. 

 They point, among other reasons for the deficiency, to the deterioration of the 

 ground-nut seeds which in all cases are diminutive in size, while a large proportion 

 of shells contain no seed whatever. Moreover, the owners of oil-presses have 

 ascertained that the yield of oil, which was heretofore from 42 to 43 per cent, has 

 fallen to about 39 per cent. These are unmistakable signs of the deterioration of 

 the ground-nut plant. 



The mischief is due to lack of judicious selection of seeds for sowing. Know- 

 ing how recklessly and against their own interest the ryots behave in this matter, it 

 is useless to expect that self-interest will induce them to mend their ways. It is 

 therefore, urged that fresh seed should be imported to re-invigorate the ground-nut 

 plant and to counteract the failing of crops as foreshadowed by current obser- 

 vations. Some years ago the French Government did the work of restoration and 

 British India has very largely benefitted thereby. It is estimated that the 

 ground-nut costs Rs. 16/-per candy to the cultivator, and he sells his produce at 

 Rs. 32/-per candy. All the villages where ground-nuts are grown have been enriched, 

 and the ryots in these parts have become wealthy aud flourishing. Owing to an 

 expected deficiency in the local Budget it is not probable that the French Govern- 

 ment will again import grouud-nut seeds. Under these circumstances the British 

 Government should awaken in time to avert the impending danger of a ruinous 

 shortage of crops through the deterioration of the ground-nut plant.— Indian 

 Agriculturist, March. 



