Coriander the Taste of Vegetables: Present and Future Prospectus for Coriander Seed Production in Southeast Rajasthan.

Abstract

Approximately 80 % of the world total coriander seed is produced in India. This country is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of the spices. Among these coriander seed is one of the most important spices. Of which, more than 80 % is produced in southeast Rajasthan. Even after introduction of advance production technologies for coriander still it is controlled by soil factors. The study was conducted in southeast Rajasthan for evaluation of soil capability to support coriander seed. The limitations considered for assessment of soil are climatic, topographic, wetness, salinity and alkalinity, soil fertility and physical limitation. The criteria of soil slope, erosion, depth, texture, available water content and length of growing period (LGP) were used for final assessment of soil suitability. Keeping these criteria, it was recorded that agroecological environment of this region and soil system environment of Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar and Kota is most suitable for cultivation of coriander seeds. The total geographical area of above four districts of Rajasthan is 2435 thousand hectares. Out of this 49 per cent is the net sown area. Considering the soil texture as one of the limiting factors, 453 thousand hectare area is suitable for coriander cultivation whereas considering the soil slope as second limiting factor 1322 thousand hectare area is suitable for coriander cultivation in above four districts of Rajasthan. The data from year the 2006-07 to 2010-11 indicated that about 200 ( + 50) thousand hectare area is being kept under coriander seed cultivation in Rajasthan out of this 99 per cent area is situated in southeast Rajasthan i.e. Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar and Kota. The study also indicated that the area under coriander cultivation in Chittorgarh district has increased by 160% over 2006-07 (1959 ha) and at present it crossed to 3000 hectares. If efforts are made to bring about 400 ( + 50) thousand hectare area under coriander seed cultivation of southeast Rajasthan with the existing productivity level of 1100kg/ ha than these four districts can produce 440 thousand metric tons of coriander seeds. The present domestic consumption of coriander seed in India is below 200 thousand metric tons. If rest, 240 thousand metric tons of the produce are exported than India can earn foreign money equivalent to 12000 million considering the existing grocery store price of 50/- per kg.